Monarch announces senior management changes
Monarch Travel Group managing director Hugh Morgan has been promoted to chairman as part of a series of management changes which include the planned departure of Monarch Airlines managing director Kevin George.
Under his new role, Morgan will be responsible for the Cosmos, Avro and somewhere2stay brands.
He will be replaced as Monarch Travel Group MD by Phil Boggon, who is currently marketing and commercial director of tour operations.
Morgan, who became MD three years ago as part of the Group’s transformation plan, said: "I am absolutely delighted to have been asked to do this role. We have had a very successful three years and we have changed a lot within the business. We have outperformed the market this year and we are in very good shape."
A successor is being sought for Kevin George, who is leaving the business to take up a senior position outside the aviation industry. In the interim, his role will be assumed by executive chairman Iain Rawlinson from November 1.
Commenting on the changes, Rawlinson said: "On behalf of the Group, I would like to thank Kevin for his significant contribution to the transformation and turnaround of Monarch Airlines over the last two years, and for his contribution to the Group. We wish him well in his future appointment.
"I am also delighted to announce Hugh’s appointment to the new role of Chairman of Monarch Travel Group and Phil’s appointment as his successor Managing Director. Hugh has been a leading figure in the travel industry for many years and his continued involvement in the tour operating business as Chairman to support the new management team will maintain continuity and add strength and experience to this business for the future.
"We welcome Phil’s appointment as it strengthens the next generation of management in that business, working alongside many very experienced colleagues and positioning the business for continued growth within its existing customer base in the trade and with consumers.
"This year we have seen a very competitive market develop over the summer season. Nevertheless, Monarch Airlines has continued to strengthen its market position and in August 2013 achieved an encouraging scheduled load factor of 92.8% on volumes up 21% year-on-year. We expect all three of the Group’s core divisions – Airlines, Tour Operations and Engineering – to be profitable, and to report Group results for the year well ahead of last year and in line with expectations.
"These leadership developments allow us to prepare with confidence for the start of our winter season and the new financial year on 1 November 2013 as well as, in the longer term, for the next phase of growth for The Monarch Group. Although we expect market conditions to remain challenging at the beginning of the financial year to October 2014, as a Group we are in a strong position to compete."
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
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