TORONTO — Frank DeMarinis has been named interim CEO of Merit Travel Inc. following the departure of Phil Sproul.

“Phil Sproul, CEO for H.I.S – Merit Travel Inc and Merit Group Inc. is no longer with our company. We are grateful for Phil’s contributions over the past years and wish him the very best in his future endeavours,” said a statement from Merit Travel this morning.

DeMarinis is the CEO of Red Label Vacations and board director. All of Sproul’s direct reports will now report to DeMarinis.

Meanwhile Emily Miedema, CFO, and Dirk Baerts, COO, will continue to lead the day-to-day functions of the organization together with DeMarinis while reporting directly to the board.

Sproul joined Merit Travel Group in January 2016. He was named CEO in July 2018 after the departure of Merit founders Louise de Grandpré and Michael Merrithew.

Sproul was also President, Kensington Tours (2012 – 2014), President, TPI (2008 – 2012) and VP, Sales & Customer Experience for ACV (2002 – 2006).

H.I.S. Co. acquired Merit Travel Group in December 2016.

In January 2019 H.I.S. Co. announced it was buying Red Label Vacations. The company operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Japan-based travel company.