Thomas Cook appoints Turkish non-executive director
Thomas Cook has appointed a former Microsoft senior executive as an independent non-executive director.
Turkish national Emre Berkin will join the Board as of November 1.
Berkin previously held a number of senior positions at Microsoft between 1993 and 2006, latterly as chairman, Middle East & Africa and vice-president, Europe, Middle East & Africa, where he led all aspects of Microsoft business in 79 countries including emerging markets.
Since 2006 he has acted as a non-executive director to a number of companies, including Turkish low-cost carrier Pegasus Airlines, and a range of technology companies including Alcatel Lucent Teletas Telekomunikasyon, which is listed on the Istanbul Stock Exchange.
Thomas Cook chairman Frank Meysman said: "Emre brings a wealth of skills and experience from the technological sector and international markets. In addition, he has experience of air travel and, being based in Turkey, vital knowledge of one of the key destinations for millions of our customers. I am very pleased that he has agreed to join the Board."
Berkin added: "I am delighted to be joining the Board of a company with such a world class brand and at a time of transformation when it is moving more towards the use of technology to enhance the customer experience."
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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