ABTA, the Travel Association, announces today that Richard Downs, CEO of Iglu.com, has joined the ABTA Board.

ABTA Chief Executive, Mark Tanzer said: “Richard is an exciting addition to the ABTA Board, he brings with him rich online and commercial expertise which will be of real benefit to ABTA. His passion for entrepreneurship and growing businesses will also be an asset to ABTA and our Membership.”

Richard Downs is the founder and CEO of Iglu.com, founded in 1998 and now the largest independent ski and cruise retailer in the UK. Downs holds an MBA from London Business School and was named London Business School Alumni Entrepreneur of the Year in 2005. He started his career in the City with PriceWaterhouseCoopers before joining Salomon Brothers, the bond trading house.

Downs said ''ABTA is the UK's largest and most trusted travel association brand with a deep heritage and I'm delighted to be joining the Board during a period of such great change in both consumer buying habits and also in terms of technology and regulation.  Iglu.com pioneered retailing ski on the web 15 years ago and I believe I can bring this fresh and pioneering spirit to ABTA's strong and diverse Board.''