Hostelworld senior independent director Michael Cawley is to succeed Richard Segal as chairman of the company from next month.

Segal will remain on the board of the online hostel-booking company as a non-executive director until the end of the year when he will resign from the board “to ensure a seamless and orderly handover”.

Cawley is former deputy chief executive of Ryanair.

Meanwhile, chartered accountant Eimear Moloney has been named as a non-executive director from November 27.

CEO Feargal Mooney said: “I welcome Eimear Moloney to Hostelworld. Her strong investment management experience will be of enormous benefit to the group as we execute on our strategic objectives and continue to grow the business.

“I would like to thank Richard Segal for his valuable contribution to Hostelworld during his six-year tenure as non-executive chairman, during which time the group underwent significant change and development as both a private and listed business.

“The board expresses its deep gratitude for his outstanding guidance and contribution during that time and wishes him well in the future.

“I look forward to working with Michael in his role as chairman of the company.”

Source: TravelWeekly, November 2017