Take2Eton Group names Julie Oliver as new CEO

Global independent travel management company Take2Eton Group has appointed experienced industry executive Julie Oliver as its new chief executive officer, marking a significant leadership shift for the transatlantic travel management specialist.

Oliver to lead Take2Eton from August 2026

According to published coverage, Take2Eton Group confirmed that Julie Oliver will formally assume the role of CEO on 3 August 2026, following a transition period with the current leadership team. The company operates as an independent travel management and events specialist with offices in North America, the United Kingdom and Ireland, and a heritage stretching back more than five decades.

Publicly available information shows that Oliver will work in close partnership with Take2Eton founder Chris Thelen, who will move from his current chief executive position into the role of founder and chairman. Oliver is also set to become a partner and shareholder in the business, underlining the long-term nature of the appointment.

Industry reports indicate that the move is designed to support Take2Eton’s next phase of expansion in premium corporate travel, meetings and events, and specialist high-touch services for complex and mission critical travel programs.

Seasoned corporate travel leader with Reed & Mackay pedigree

Oliver brings a long track record in corporate travel management to her new role at Take2Eton. Coverage in sector publications notes that she spent more than two decades as managing director of Business Travel Direct, steering the UK-based agency through growth and ultimately its acquisition in 2019 by Reed & Mackay.

Following that transaction, Oliver moved into senior global responsibilities at Reed & Mackay, including positions as global chief operating officer, European chief executive and, more recently, CEO for global events. Reports indicate that she helped build that events division from a small specialist team into a multinational operation.

Observers in the business travel sector suggest that this blend of corporate travel and meetings experience aligns closely with Take2Eton’s strategy of combining high-touch travel management with an expanding events and group travel offering, particularly for clients in sectors where in person engagement remains central to commercial success.

Leadership transition after earlier CEO departure

The appointment of Oliver follows a period of leadership change at Take2Eton. Trade media coverage earlier in 2026 reported that former CEO James Parkhouse had stepped down from the role at the end of January, with co founder Chris Thelen returning to the chief executive position on an interim basis.

Parkhouse, previously the long-serving chief executive at UK travel management firm Agiito and its predecessor brand, had joined Take2Eton in late 2024. His departure led to Thelen resuming day to day leadership responsibilities while the group assessed options for the next stage of its development.

Analysts note that bringing in Oliver as CEO, while Thelen moves to a founder and chairman role, creates a leadership structure that pairs long-standing knowledge of the Take2Eton business with external experience from other premium travel management and events providers.

Strategic focus on premium service, events and technology

Take2Eton positions itself as a boutique-style travel management company that combines personalised service with a modern technology stack and global buying power. Company information highlights a focus on high-touch support for organisations where travel is considered mission critical, across sectors such as pharmaceuticals, technology, finance, professional services and the creative industries.

Reports on Oliver’s appointment indicate that the group intends to continue investing in technology, data and artificial intelligence to enhance its offering, while maintaining a strong emphasis on executive-level service and responsiveness. The company has previously underlined its independence and its ability to provide flexible, tailored solutions, differentiating itself from both mega travel management companies and smaller regional agencies.

Industry commentary suggests that Oliver’s background in scaling events operations and working with technology partners could support Take2Eton’s ambitions in strategic meetings, conferences and group travel, as well as deepen its collaborations with major travel and expense platforms.

Implications for the transatlantic TMC market

Take2Eton was created through the combination of TakeTwo Travel Solutions and Eton Travel Group, bringing together a newly formed TMC with a long-established corporate and leisure travel agency. Since that merger, the group has developed a transatlantic footprint with offices in the United States, United Kingdom and Ireland, alongside a network of international partners.

Business travel media rankings have placed Take2Eton among the larger independent travel management companies in the UK market, and industry features have highlighted its niche focus on premium, high-service corporate travel and events. The arrival of Oliver as CEO is seen by commentators as an effort to build on that position and capture further share in the mid to upper corporate segment.

With corporate travel patterns continuing to evolve and organisations reassessing where and how they travel, the combination of new leadership, an event-led growth strategy and ongoing technology investment is likely to be closely watched by travel buyers and competitors across the transatlantic corporate travel sector.