He joins from American Golf where he spent five years in the role of marketing director.
The appointment has necessitated a reshuffle at the luxury and long-haul specialist; co-founders Paul Ainsworth and Sharon Mason have now taken up the roles of chairman and chief operating officer respectively.
Ainsworth said: "Dan joins us at an exciting time in our development and brings a wealth of commercial experience which will help us drive the business forward and maintain our position as the trade’s favourite tour operator.”
Gathercole added: ”It’s an exciting time for us and I am looking forward to working with Paul and Sharon to help First Class continue to grow.”
