Portman Travel’s CEO, Michael Hare has been appointed as Chairman of RADIUS, the global travel management company. He takes the position over from Bill Tech, President and CEO of Travel and Transport who will remain as a member of the board.

As the Immediate Past Chairman of the Guild of Travel Management Companies (GTMC) and with almost 35 years of experience in corporate travel, Hare is one of the industry’s most respected authorities on corporate travel management and brings a wealth of knowledge to the role.

Hare joined the Portman Travel board as Chief Operating Officer in 2008, after the TMC acquired Fleet Street Travel where he was Managing Director, and was quickly appointed to Chief Executive Officer in 2009. He joined the board of directors at RADIUS in 2011. Portman Travel is a founding shareholder of RADIUS, and under Hare’s leadership, this relationship has strengthened even further.

Supported by a multi-million dollar investment from shareholders in Asia Pacific, Europe and the Americas during 2011, RADIUS has grown more than 200% in the last three years.  Portman Travel is the sole UK agency member for the company, which comprises travel agencies in 80 countries around the world and over 3,300 locations.

Commenting on the appointment Hare said: “RADIUS is one of the world’s largest and most renowned travel management companies and I am therefore honoured to become chairman. I hope to bring new insight and experience to the role and help consolidate RADIUS’ position as a world class TMC, while also meeting the challenges that continue to face the business traveller.”

Chris Vasiliou, President and CEO of RADIUS, added, “Michael Hare has made a major contribution to our strategic direction at RADIUS, and I look forward to working closely with him in his new role as Chairman.  RADIUS has tremendous momentum in the corporate travel marketplace, and we will continue to benefit enormously from the guidance provided by our board.”