O’Regan starts his job as RWH Travel managing director on Monday, taking over from Kathy Cook and Tony Lock, who have been joint managing directors for 17 years. Both are retiring from the business but will stay on for a short transition period.

O’Regan has previously worked with Tui UK, Wyndham Worldwide and Disney, but his most recent role was as product and commercial director for Monarch Holidays. He will oversee leadership and development of RWH Travel’s brands comprising Ramblers Walking Holidays, Adagio and Cruise & Walk.

He said: “Ramblers Walking Holidays has a deserved reputation for delivering superb walking holidays across the world, both with their core walking brand as well as more recently, their gentle strolling and cultural holiday brand, Adagio.

“We have a tremendous opportunity to grow further in what is an expanding activity holiday sector, to capitalise on already strong business foundations. I am also grateful to Kathy Cook and Tony Lock who, with their many years of experience, will be an invaluable resource to me as I begin the role.”

Annette Cotter, chairman of Ramblers Holidays Group Ltd, added: “Kevin’s track record and in-depth experience of the travel industry are outstanding and we are thrilled to welcome him on board.

“Finding a successor to the joint managing director team of Kathy Cook and Tony Lock has been a tough call but attracting someone of the calibre of Kevin into the organisation is a great endorsement of our continued ambition.”

Kathy Cook said: “Tony and I are very pleased to be leaving the company in such capable hands knowing that Kevin fully appreciates the specialist nature of our holidays and the passion of the people who enjoy them.”