Due to the fact that current CEO Jan-Anders Holmqvist, 65 years old, has announced that he will retire in November 2018, the group management of Taptum AB has today appointed Maria Olivelund as his successor.
The BIG Travel Scandinavia Group is Taptum's largest business operation with a turnover of approximately SEK 2 billion in the 2018/19 financial year and approximately 200 employees. In Sweden, BIG Travel Sweden conducts sales within business travel, private travel, and group and conference travel, with a turnover of approximately SEK 1.5 billion and operates 34 travel agencies and business travel centers.
Stig Sjöblom, CEO of Taptum AB: "I was delighted to hear a surprised Maria Olivelund say, "Yes, I am very interested in the offer." During my time as CEO of Taptum, I have had the privilege of seeing Maria take on more and more responsible tasks; the choice felt obvious. I would like to congratulate all colleagues on the fact that the leadership is now being taken over by a woman, who has also dedicated so much of her life to our company, and wish Maria all the best in her new role!"”
Maria Olivelund, CEO of BIG Travel Sweden AB: "I am extremely happy to once again have the opportunity to develop and grow with the company. It has been 22 years for me at BIG and I have seen the company develop enormously over the years. I have learned a lot along the way and I have had both colleagues and managers who have supported and believed in me, without them I would not be here today. It will be an exciting future for us in an industry that faces many challenges and I humbly look forward to continuing this journey as CEO of BIG Travel together with all the fantastic employees."”
Jan-Anders Holmqvist: ”After 45 years in the travel industry, it is now time to retire and enjoy my time off. It has been 12 exciting years with BIG and it has truly enriched my life and work. It naturally feels a little sad to be leaving, but at the same time it will be very nice. I think it is especially fun that Maria will take over from me. Maria has done a fantastic job during my years as CEO and I am completely convinced that she has the ability to drive the company forward successfully.”
Fredrik Skarke, majority owner and chairman of the board of BIG Travel Scandinavia AB: "A change of leadership should be a natural event. The change also provides the opportunity to try a different view of leadership and new paths towards the future. I and the other owners welcome Maria to her new role and wish her all the best in leading a company she herself has helped to make Sweden's pride in the travel agency industry."”
