John Bevan, formerly MD of luxury members' travel club Voyage Privé, has become the new MD of SpaFinder Europe.

The appointment comes as SpaFinder Wellness, the spa and wellness media, marketing and gifting company prepares to introduce new travel initiatives and technology.

Bevan is a travel industry veteran with more than 25 years experience, including a stint as the UK and Ireland managing director for Lastminute.com.

SpaFinder Wellness chair and chief executive Pete Ellis said: "In other countries, we have greatly expanded our gift card programme and introduced a new last-minute sales product to help spas and yoga/fitness/Pilates studios manage inventory and I look forward to John bringing these initiatives to the UK."

Bevan said he is excited to be part of a changing and expanding industry. "Spa and wellness currently have the same opportunities in online distribution and sales that travel companies experienced a few years ago," he said.

SpaFinder Wellness, which is based in New York City, launched in 1986 and originally formed SpaFinder Europe as a joint venture. However, last year the European business became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the US parent.

Find out more at www.spafinder.com