Supermarket financial chief to join Thomas Cook
Morrison Supermarkets’ group finance director Richard Pennycook is to join the Thomas Cook Board as an independent non-executive director from April 1.
Pennycook, formerly chief executive of Welcome Break, has held a number of senior positions at UK listed companies.
He has been group finance director at Morrison since 2005 but announced in June last year that he would be stepping down from the budget supermarket chain in mid 2013.
His prior roles include group finance director at RAC, HP Bulmer Holidays, Laura Ashley, Wetherspoon as well as chief executive of Welcome Break Holidays.
He is currently senior independent director and chairman of the Audit Committee of Persimmon and a non-executive director of The Hut Group Limited.
Thomas Cook chairman Frank Meysmann said: "Richard has a wealth of financial and consumer sector experience.
"In addition, at Wm. Morrison he was integral to its transformation following the Safeway acquisition and his specific responsibilities included multi-channel development, a key area of focus for us. I am extremely pleased that he has agreed to join the Board."
Pennycook added: "I am delighted to be joining the Board of Thomas Cook, which has an esteemed heritage and a truly world class brand. It is an exciting time to be joining, as the Company undergoes a business transformation and is developing its strategy for the future."
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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