This archive report was first published on 2 December 2019.
On 13 December 2019, Club Travel Group welcomed Gary Mulder as its new Chief Executive Officer, marking a significant change in leadership following the retirement of founding Managing Director Wally Gaynor at the end of 2019.
According to the company, Mulder's appointment is part of a new organisational structure implemented after Club Travel Group's acquisition by Travelstart in October 2019.
As the new CEO, Mulder will oversee the Group's leisure, corporate, franchise, and technology divisions, with a focus on uniting the group around the new relationship with Travelstart to drive digital product innovation.
With a strong background in the travel and tech industries, Mulder has held various leadership positions, including Financial Director at Club Travel since 2000 and Manager at Coopers & Lybrand (now PwC).
Speaking on his appointment, Mulder expressed his excitement to take Wally's vision forward and build on the legacy he leaves behind, stating, 'I am thrilled to take Wally's vision forward and build on the incredible legacy he leaves behind after heading the Group since inception. We have strong leadership in our various business divisions and subsidiaries, and I look forward to working with the executive team to grow the business for and with our new shareholders.'
Outgoing MD Wally Gaynor praised Mulder, saying, 'Club Travel and its divisions are entering a new and exciting path and Gary is the best person to deepen our services and relationships with customers, franchise partners and the trade. I’m proud to have a leader of his calibre take over the next phase of growth.'
Mulder holds a Bachelor of Business Science (CA) from the University of Cape Town and has been a board member of the Association of South African Travel Agents (ASATA) since 2016. He has also been on the board of trustees for the JDI Foundation, a South African charitable organisation that supports local community projects, for almost 20 years.
Mulder will be based at the company's Cape Town head office, where he will lead the Group's operations as CEO.
