Derbyshire takes TC UK & Ireland CEO role
Sunday, 09 Nov, 2009
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Ian Derbyshire has been promoted to CEO of Thomas Cook UK & Ireland as part of a range of high level management changes.
Pete Constanti, currently CEO, mainstream travel at Thomas Cook UK & Ireland, has been appointed to the new role of group destination management CEO.
Given Constanti’s new group-wide role, Derbyshire, currently chief executive of independent travel, takes responsibility for the airline, sales channels, tour operating and financial services activities.
Group CEO Manny Fontenla-Novoa said: “Our UK mainstream business remains robust, with many new product and service initiatives driving this business forward.
“We have also capitalised on the rapid growth in the independent travel sector with our acquisitions of Hotels4U, Elegant Resorts, Med Hotels and Gold Medal over the past 18 months, making it one the UK’s leading providers in this sector.
“I have every confidence that under Ian’s leadership this important business will continue to go from strength to strength.”
Constanti will provide leadership for the group’s international activities in overseas purchasing, in-resort operations, overseas agents, hotels investments/ownership and content management.
As part of his wider operational responsibilities, he will also retain some of his existing remit including group health & safety and the legal, HR, IT, PR and customer delivery functions of the UK & Ireland business.
Fontenla-Novoa added: “By bringing together all our group activity around overseas purchasing, in-resort operations, overseas agents, hotel investments and content management we have an excellent opportunity to drive further efficiencies as well as deliver the consistently high standard of service that our customers have come to expect from the Thomas Cook Group. I am delighted that Pete has agreed to step up to this group-wide position.”
In addition to his role as CEO, Thomas Cook Northern Europe, Sam Weihagen has deferred his retirement to become deputy to Fontenla-Novoa and member of the plc board.
Weihagen, with 34 years industry experience, has been in the role of CEO Northern Europe since 2001. He was formerly an executive director of MyTravel for three years prior to the merger in 2007.
Fontenla-Novoa said: “I am delighted that Sam has agreed to defer his retirement to take on the role as deputy to the group CEO, in addition to his current responsibilities as CEO, Northern Europe.
“Over the next 12 months he will develop and implement his succession plan for Northern Europe, use his vast experience and commercial acumen to assist the other group segment CEO’s with their margin improvement and business development, whilst lending his support to the overall running of the business as a member of the board.”
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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