Is Hoberman onto something else?

Nobody expected Lastminute.com co-founder Brent Hoberman to stay quiet for too long, following his decision to stand down as chief executive of the now Sabre-owned online travel agent to become part-time chairman.

Energies have now been diverted into helping set up – as a non-executive director – Univillage.com, a new community website for students.

Today’s announcement by site’s founders, Henry Yates and ex-boss of youth marketing agency, Face, Andrew Needham, coincides rather handily with the UK’s A Level results.

The site will integrate social networking tools such as Yahoo! Messenger as well as allowing hard-up students to download music or find a local club.

“You can now decide who you fancy, who to avoid, make friends and even decide what clubs to join before you even arrive,” says Yates. “Tomorrow [launch day, 17 August] signals the death of Freshers’ Week as we know it.”

Yates told us earlier today that, despite the presence of Hoberman in the company, there are no immediate plans to launch any travel functionality.

Only a matter of time, surely…

Kevin May, editor, Travolution