Retiring chairman of Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) has been appointed to the new part-time consultancy position of non-executive president, starting in April.

His role will be taken over by Richard Mortimore, RTE’s managing director.

“Tom has made a huge contribution to Reed Exhibitions and has been responsible for developing 14 new exhibitions as well as helping to establish the spectacular and continued success of World Travel Market, the flagship event of the travel division," said Alastair Gornall, chief executive of Reed Exhibitions UK. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Tom for all his efforts over the past quarter of a century and wish him a well earned retirement.

“The RTE portfolio is well positioned to meet the challenges for 2008 and Richard Mortimore and his team will manage and drive the strategic direction of the division.

“I am also delighted that Tom has accepted a part-time consultancy role as president of RTE and will continue to assist us in developing and growing the travel business.”

Nutley commented: "I have tremendously enjoyed the last 25 years with Reed and am extremely proud of the way Reed Travel Exhibitions has developed and the team with whom I have had the privilege to work.

“I am delighted Reed has offered me the opportunity to continue to be involved in the future development of RTE".

RTE is the world’s largest global organiser of travel trade events, including Arabian Travel Market in Dubai for the Middle East and Pan Arab region and EIBTM in Barcelona, the annual global meetings and incentives exhibition.

Nutley founded RTE and became its first ever chairman in February, 2003. He pioneered RTE’s Meridian Club, a major new concept in customer relationship marketing, allowing senior executives to negotiate major buying contracts in a concentrated business-to-business environment.

He has been actively involved with leading travel and tourism industry organisations worldwide, including the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and the Institute of Travel & Tourism (ITT).

Nutley will continue as treasurer and trustee of Just a Drop, the international water-aid charity, founded by World Travel Market on behalf of the international travel and tourism industry nearly 10 years ago.