Thomas Cook digital head steps down to promote book
John Straw, chairman of Thomas Cook’s Digital Advisory Board, has stepped down to launch and promote his book.
Straw will continue to work with Thomas Cook on special projects.
His book, idisrupted, is about how disruptive technology is ‘changing the human race forever’.
It was co-written with Michael Baxter and also contains contributions from Thomas Cook CEO Harriet Green.
On its website, the book says it is for ‘people who want a job in 10 years’ time, employers who want to hire the right talent tor the future and business leaders and shareholders who want the business they run or own to flourish, and not get swept away’.
Announcing his stepping down, Green said: "John has gone to extraordinary lengths to spiritualise digitisation at Thomas Cook.
"His training programmes are legendary and he played a critical role in the development of tools such as our award-winning ‘Wish List’ and in challenging colleagues at all levels across the business to think digitally. I can’t thank him enough for what he has done to drive the digital transformation of Thomas Cook."
Kate Smaje, digital advisor from McKinsey, will assume the leadership of the Digital Advisory Board.
Meanwhile, Thomas Cook has promoted Marco Ryan to become chief innovation officer for Thomas Cook Group.
He will join the Executive Committee, reporting directly to Green.
Ryan was previously head of omni-channel digital marketing and eCommerce, leading the group’s digital transformation in Central Europe.
He joined Thomas Cook Germany in November 2013, having worked previously for Cap Gemini, Accenture and others in the US, Europe and Asia.
He will take up his new role on January 1.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026