Major Achievements
Pioneered the UK online travel industry from 1996 to 1999 by creating an Internet interactive website for Flightbookers, which became ebookers.com.
Founded ebookers.com in 1999, and took it Public on the NASDAQ and London Stock Market, rising to become a FTSE 250 member.
Made 11 corporate acquisitions in Europe, to get a 300 million people market.
Ensured the survival and growth of ebookers.com through multiple high-risk crises, including the dotcom bust of 2001, 9/11, the SARS outbreak, the first Iraq War and the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.
Increased ebookers.com sales and revenue exponentially over five years, from $23 million in 1999 to $1 billion in 2004. The business was then sold to Cedant in the US in early 2005 for $471m – 100 times the initial investment of £2.5m.
With Richard Branson
Internet Business
2020 - date
Promoting the largest Solar PV project in Romania (348 MW). Promoting the largest Solar PV project in Romania(348MW).
2019 - 2020
MEP for London in the EU Parliament
2018 - date
Advisory Board of PolySwarm (a Blockchain company)
2017 - date
Advisory Board of The Squa.re
2006 - date
Copper Beech Group
Founder and Chairman managing investments in solar energy, ecotourism and property in Romania and India.
1980 - 2005
Dabin Travel / Flightbookers / ebookers.com
Travel Business
Started Dabin Travel in 1980, selling travel tickets from a tiny kiosk at Earl's Court tube station.
Rapidly expanded the business to found Flightbookers Ltd in 1983, becoming the General Sales Agent for four airlines in the UK and Europe.
Made Flightbookers the tenth largest leisure agent in the UK, employing 235 people.