Business travel firm Clarity’s new sports division, established after it took on 17 former Thomas Cook employees, is “expanding quickly”, it said.
It comes as Clarity Sports has announced a partnership with Premiership rugby club Sale Sharks and confirmed deals with Edinburgh Rugby and Leicester Tigers.
This year, the Manchester-based business travel firm made the “quick and easy decision” to re-employ a number of Thomas Cook Sport staff less than 48 hours after its collapse into administration on September 23.
Pat McDonagh, chief executive of Clarity, said: “It’s a very exciting time for Clarity Sports, as we continue to grow our presence in the industry.
“Rob [Slawson, director of sports travel] and the team bring a wealth of knowledge and experience, which is helping to position the firm as the number one travel specialist for elite sports teams.”
Its partnership with Sale Sharks will see Clarity Sports become the official new travel provider for the club, where it will be responsible for co-ordinating away game travel for the 2019-20 season, including all Premiership Rugby games and European fixtures.
Mr Slawson said: “The team and I are looking forward to developing our working relationship with Sale Sharks, delivering our industry leading, best-in-class travel management for the players, coaches and wider team.
“We’re confident that this partnership will continue to flourish and deliver fantastic things for both companies.”
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Sale Sharks commercial director Mark Cueto said Clarity Sports was “an obvious choice” for a travel partner.
He said: “Organising the club’s travel to away games and beyond is a huge responsibility – especially with some big European games on the horizon – and we’re confident that Clarity Sports is the right firm for the job.
Under its partnership with Edinburgh Rugby, Clarity Sports will provide its supporters with travel and accommodation to the club’s away fixtures in the European Challenge Cup.
Edinburgh Rugby said the division will be “continuing the work of former travel partner Thomas Cook Sport”, with travel arrangements “operat[ing] in the exact same manner as previous seasons”.
Clarity Sport will also support Leicester Tigers in organising travel for the playing squad to away fixtures during the 2019-20 campaign.
The firm also helped in ensuring an away supporters’ trip for an upcoming match against Calvisano in the European Challenge Cup on December 14 could go ahead, the rugby club said.
Andrea Pinchen, chief operating officer at Leicester Tigers, said: “Clarity have taken some huge steps in order to not only grow its business, but also provide alternatives for former employees of Thomas Cook.
“So it’s testament to the teams at both ends, that now Leicester Tigers will be able to benefit from their services and we look forward to working with the Clarity team.”