Cook retail chief quits
Thomas Cook retail chief executive Ian Derbyshire has quit after 11 years with the company, it was confirmed today.
A spokesperson stressed Derbyshire took the decision to leave earlier this year, but decided to remain to see through the Competition Commission's investigation into the merger between Thomas Cook and The Co-operative Travel.
He said he was leaving to run a child activity business launched by his family in the northwest.
"Leaving is such a wrench, but it is time now to concentrate on my family and taking our small but successful, North West venture to the next level," he said. "The retail joint venture will be industry changing – something that Thomas Cook excels at – and I will be the most avid onlooker as the deal is completed and the merged company comes to life."
Derbyshire is the second senior member of the Thomas Cook management team to leave this month, following hard on the heels of chief executive Manny Fontenla-Novoa who quit last week.
Sam Weihagen, the recently appointed Interim chief executive officer, said: "I'd like to thank Ian for his invaluable contribution over the past eleven years. He will be sorely missed but we wish Ian and his family every success in the future."
Simon Robinson, formerly managing director UK of the Online Travel Agency, will take over the role for the joint venture with the Co-op upon competition of the deal, which is expected in early October.
Weihagen added: "I'm very pleased he is taking on his new and enlarged role as he brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience."
By Linsey McNeill
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025