The Inspiring Travel Company’s director of agency sales Lee Marshall will leave the business at the end of November. 

Marshall has worked in travel for 34 years, having spent 15 years of his career at luxury tour operator ITC. He is leaving the travel industry entirely to pursue a career selling historic cars.

Prior to his current role, Marshall was client relationship director at ITC. He also spent three years as head of sales at Gold Medal and 19 years at Thomas Cook working in retail and then as national sales manager for Thomas Cook Signature.

He will remain with ITC until November 30 before he leaves for his “dream job” selling historic cars. In December Marshall will launch a historic car consultancy, sourcing vintage vehicles around the world and selling them.

While his position is not being replaced like-for-like, ITC has opted to introduce the new role of head of trade relations. Abi Hyslop joins from travel agency Destine Travel on October 7. Hyslop will head up the trade team, reporting into Sarah Roberts who oversees sales and customer services.

Speaking of his departure, Marshall said: “I can’t begin to tell you how much I’ve enjoyed my time at ITC. The business has been through massive changes since I first started – at that time we had the luxury market to ourselves alongside Elegant Resorts and Carrier but now it’s a very crowded market.

“We have been a consistently trade friendly business and I’m extremely proud of that. I’ve established brilliant relationships with our agency partners, and I have been very privileged in this role.

“I feel very humbled to have had such wonderful experiences during my time. I can’t thank the trade enough for their support of our brands.

“I leave on extremely amicable terms with the team here at ITC. I turned 50 this year, and I think that’s a good point in time to be able to reset the compass and make sure your fulfilling everything you want in life. Historic cars are my passion, and to start a historic car consultancy is my dream job – I needed to reset my compass by taking on this new opportunity.”