Ian McCaig, former vice president of 3G operations at Nokia and managing

director of Nokia UK & Ireland has joined lastminute.com, the online

provider of travel and leisure solutions, as its new chief operating

officer.

Ian has responsibility for operations across the whole of the

lastminute.com group, which operates across multiple markets worldwide and

includes holidayautos.com, travelprice.com, Degriftour.com,

travelselect.com, travel4less.co.uk and eXhilaration.co.uk.

With over seven years experience in telecommunications, first at Telewest

Communications and then at Nokia, Ian has strong expertise in strategic and

market dimensions of mobile network technology.  In his most recent role,

as VP of 3G operations at Nokia, Ian headed up more than 500 staff across

seven countries globally.  Responsibilities included global programme

management and full financial, commercial and contractual responsibility.

At Nokia Ian also held positions as managing director, UK & Ireland and

general manager, West Europe & Africa.  At Telewest Communications Ian was

UK sales director.

Commenting on his appointment, Ian said, “This is an optimal time to become

involved in the online travel market.  lastminute.com has made enormous

steps over the last year and this is a fantastic opportunity to ensure that

it continues to keep ahead of the competition. On a personal level, it is

great to join a company that is not just successful, but which has the

drive, enthusiasm and commitment to grow and develop into a large and

thriving worldwide brand.”

Martha Lane Fox, co-founder and group managing director of lastminute.com

said, “We are delighted to welcome Ian to lastminute.com.  His excellent

background and experience in heading up operations at Nokia, as well as his

proven financial achievements, will be a real strength to the

lastminute.com group of businesses. We believe he will be a great asset to

the senior management team.”

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