RCI appoints industry leader to the role of Vice President, Business Development, EMEA region
RCI is pleased to announce that Robin Mills has accepted the role of Vice President, Business Development, for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Mills will be based in the UK, at the exchange company’s European headquarters in Northamptonshire.
A familiar face and trusted associate of many in the shared-holiday ownership and hospitality industry, Mills brings with him more than 30 years of experience in this business sector. He joins RCI from the Club Leisure Group where he served as Managing Director and was responsible for the expansion of its European operations, as well as the development of its points programme.
Prior to that, Mills, a graduate of Edinburgh Heriot-Watt University, was Managing Director of the RMI Consortium and Petchey Leisure where, among many strategic initiatives, he introduced a points product. He has also been a key supporter of industry trade associations, having worked closely with several of them, including the European Resort Development Organisation (RDO) and the US-based American Resort Development Association (ARDA).
Fiona Downing, Senior Vice President, Development & Operations for RCI, said: “We are delighted to be able to welcome Robin into the RCI family. A well-respected industry leader, we are fortunate to have found someone to fill this role who has the great depth of industry knowledge and strong network of partnerships with so many in our business – including RCI – that Robin brings with him.
Robin Mills addressing an RDO Conference
“As the leader of our EMEA Business Development team Robin’s established relationships with so many of our affiliates throughout Europe and Africa will be invaluable in supporting the business development and growth of our affiliated developers and industry associates.”
Commenting on his appointment, Mills said: “I am excited about my future with RCI. Though the shoes of Dimitris Manikis are big ones to fill, for the majority of my career I have worked closely with Dimitris, on the RCI affiliate side of the desk, thereby gaining a deep insight into RCI’s business philosophy. I have every admiration for the way in which Dimitris has set a successful course for RCI. It is an honour to take the helm now for the next stage of the voyage.
“This is an especially exciting time to be joining RCI. Given the strength of its traditional core products, together with its recent business acquisitions and the reach of its operations, I believe that there is now huge scope for further innovation, development and evolution of the RCI product. In today’s hospitality market you need to be agile; it is important to understand that one size does not fit all anymore and RCI’s resources open up many possibilities for the development of new holiday product models. RCI is fit for the future.”
Mills will now be embarking on a robust travel schedule to meet with RCI affiliates and the members of his Business Development team to ensure a smooth transition in the continued provision of a world-class service to RCI’s clients.
