Hoburne Group announces Jim Forward as its new CEO

The Hoburne Group has confirmed that it has appointed Riviera Travel chief commercial officer Jim Forward as its new CEO.

Forward will take over from Rod Tucker, who will be retiring from his position of managing director at the end of this year after seven years of leading the family-run business.

Forward has worked in the holiday sector for over 25 years and has held senior management positions at companies including HF Holidays, Warner Leisure Hotels and Butlins.

Most recently, as chief commercial officer of Riviera Travel, Jim has taken his team and the business through the challenges of COVID while maintaining his strong commitment to doing the right thing for customers, an approach that Hoburne has also taken through the pandemic.

On his new appointment, Forward says: “I am delighted to be joining Hoburne at such an exciting time. The business is having an exceptional year and with continued investment in new developments over the winter months, we are set to have a positive road ahead.

“Hoburne has a fantastic history and as a family-run company, it genuinely believes in respect and integrity. From my experience of meeting with team members, I am already impressed by their enthusiasm and concerted efforts to offer an outstanding level of customer service.”

John Butters, Hoburne’s fifth generation chairman, says: “I could not be more pleased that Jim will be leading us into the next chapter of the Hoburne story. He has an impressive and proven track record of building and developing teams and is a values-driven leader who believes in setting and communicating a clear strategy.

“He has experience of working for a range of different types of businesses and we are confident that he will adapt easily to working with our family directors and will look at our business first and foremost through the lens of customers, team members and long-term value creation.

“Jim joins at a crucial time as we move into our next phase of growth, and I have no doubt he will help us build upon the incredible work already undertaken by Rod and the team.”

Commenting on his retirement, Rod Tucker added: “I’ve had the pleasure of working for Hoburne and Burry & Knight for seven years and I am immensely proud to have played a part in developing the business to a point where it is well prepared for the next phase of growth.

“I leave behind exceptional teams that will continue to grow and modernise the Hoburne brand, taking it to even higher levels of success.

“I will stay with Hoburne until the end of the year supporting Jim with his transition and will remain as a non-executive for Hoburne.”