Virgin Atlantic’s sales general manager Paul Wait has been appointed as the new chief executive of The Guild of Travel Management Companies (GMTC). Wait, who worked for Virgin Atlantic for 13 years, will take up his new role at the GTMC in January 2013.

Wait, who was vice president of sales for American Express prior to joining Virgin Atlantic, will succeed Anne Godfrey, who stepped down from the role as chief executive of the GTMC in August.

“I plan to build on the momentum that the GTMC has established in recent years – particularly in being the voice of business travel in the corridors of Westminster,” said Wait, who is currently Virgin’s general manager UK, global and multinational sales.

“Naturally I am sad to be leaving Virgin Atlantic – it’s a great company, I’ve learnt so much, had amazing colleagues and it’s been thirteen action packed years.”