Reed Exhibitions has appointed Nick Pilbeam to the position of divisional director – travel.

Newly appointed Pilbeam, who brings with him an enormous amount of growth strategy knowledge and industry insight, will head up the travel division of the world’s leading events organiser Reed Exhibitions.

The renowned industry events that fall under Reed Travel Exhibitions include the International Luxury Travel Market portfolio, IBTM Events, and recently announced, WTM portfolio which consists of Reed Exhibitions flagship event World Travel Market in London.

Pilbeam will also be responsible for WTM sister events WTM Latin America and WTM Africa, as well as Arabian Travel Market, International Golf Travel Market and International Ski Travel Market.

Pilbeam who has spent the majority of his career at the British Airways group (now International Airlines Group) moved to Avios, the air miles loyalty program in 2008, and was most recently accountable for the entry and global growth strategies into new markets and new partners.

He also led the launch of the Avios currency worldwide with British Airways Executive Club and Iberia Plus programmes including transforming the Airmiles programme in the UK.

More recently, Pilbeam spearheaded Avios’ expansion into South Africa with the launch of the Avios Travel Rewards Programme in that market, securing high profile strategic partners across the finance and retail sectors.

Pilbeam replaces Richard Mortimore, who was promoted to chief executive of Reed Exhibitions UK in 2014.

Pilbeam will report to Mortimore.

Pilbeam commented: “I am very excited to join Reed Travel Exhibitions on the next step of its journey and help further develop its strong travel brands.

“All the events are individually hugely respected and I look forward to being a part of it, delivering strategy and meeting global customer needs with such an experienced and dedicated team.”