Riviera Travel today announced that its board of directors has appointed Matt Luscombe as Group Chief Executive Officer. Luscombe will officially step into his new role on January 1, 2026, succeeding Phil Hullah, who will remain onboard for the first part of the year to ensure a seamless transition. Hullah will remain a significant shareholder in the business thereafter.

Luscombe, according to Riviera Travel, “brings a wealth of leadership experience” across the travel, leisure and retail sectors, most recently as CEO of Freemans Event Partners. Previously, he served as CEO of Cycas Hospitality, one of Europe’s largest and most diverse hotel management companies, and spent a decade at InterContinental Hotels Group, most recently as Chief Commercial Officer for Europe & North Africa. In that role, he oversaw all aspects of brand and commercial strategy, managing $4 billion in revenue.

Luscombe holds degrees in Economics and Management Studies from the University of Cambridge in the U.K.

“I am truly honored to be taking on the role of Group CEO and excited to work alongside Riviera’s exceptional team of passionate professionals,” said Luscombe. This is a pivotal moment for the business as we continue to expand across all product lines and elevate the customer experience even further.”

Said Stuart Milan, president of Riviera Travel North America: “Working with Phil on our expansion into the North American market has been a fantastic experience and has allowed Riviera Travel to set itself up for significant future expansion.” He added that with Luscombe at the helm, “Riviera will maintain its focus on North American growth. The opportunity North America has for Riviera is very exciting and we look forward to working hard with our travel advisor partners to propel our growth further.”