New head of health and safety at Thomas Cook
Thomas Cook has appointed a new group head of health and safety following the departure of Peter Welsh.
The operator said the appointment of Clay Stayt was ‘part of Thomas Cook’s continued focus on embedding a consistent approach to health and safety across its own brand and partner hotels’.
Taking over from Julia Watson, who led the function on an interim basis, Clay brings more than 20 years’ health and safety and quality experience to the role, said Cook.
He joins the company from independent travel provider, GTA. Previously, Clay worked for clothing retailer River Island and travel companies Libra Holidays and First Choice.
Bjorne Sandstrom, chief commercial officer at Thomas Cook Group, said: "Making sure our customers can safely enjoy travelling with Thomas Cook is our top priority, and our increased focus on health and safety and customer welfare has been a huge part of our work to put customers at our heart.
"Clay’s extensive experience means he is well-placed to lead this work and I’m sure he will benefit from Julia’s knowledge to help move us forward in this hugely important area of the business."
His appointment comes a year after Thomas Cook was publicly shamed for the way in which it dealt with the family of two children who died of carbon monoxide poisioning while on holiday with the operator in October 2006.
An inquest last year into the deaths of Christi Shepherd, aged seven, and her six-year-old brother Bobby, who died at the Louis Corcyra Beach Hotel in Corfu, found Cook had breached its duty of care.
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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