Thomas Cook Regulatory News (TCG)

19 Sep 2007 13:47

Thomas Cook Group PLC19 September 2007 19 September 2007 Board changes at Thomas Cook Group plc Thomas Cook Group plc announces that John Bloodworth and the Group have jointlyagreed that John will step down as Chief Executive Officer, Thomas Cook UK &Ireland, with immediate effect and from the Board from 31st December 2007, dueto a difference in management approach. The Group is pleased that John will beassisting with the integration of the two companies and with other projectsuntil 31st March 2008. The search for a new Chief Executive of the UK and Ireland division has begun.In the interim period, Manny Fontenla-Novoa, Joint Chief Executive of the Group,will assume direct responsibility for this business division, supported by FrankPullman, Executive Director Airline, Jurgen Buser, Chief Financial Officer UKand Ireland, Peter Constanti and Ian Derbyshire, Executive Directors HolidaysDivision. Thomas Middelhoff, Chairman of Thomas Cook Group, said: "The Board would like to thank John for his significant contribution to theMyTravel Group and for ensuring that the merger of MyTravel and Thomas CookGroup ran smoothly and that the synergies within the UK and Ireland businessesare on track to be realised. We appreciate John's continued assistance in the UKover the next six months." John Bloodworth, Chief Executive Officer of UK & Ireland, said: "I wish my UK team and the Thomas Cook Group much success and all the best forthe future." As reported on the 31 August 2007, the Board believes that the Group's financialperformance for the full year 2007 will be in line with its expectations. Enquiries: Brunswick Tel: 020 7404 5959 Fiona Antcliffe/Conor McClafferty Notes to Editors All four directors have had considerable experience in recent years inimplementing the restructuring and business transformation programmes atMyTravel and Thomas Cook, resulting in improved financial performance, operatingefficiencies, cost reductions and improved customer service at both companies. Frank Pullman has overall responsibility for running Thomas Cook's airlineoperations in the UK, which comprises a fleet of 45 aircraft flying to more than50 destinations from 11 UK airports. Frank has more than 35 years of experiencein the travel industry and following the merger was appointed as ExecutiveDirector of the combined Thomas Cook and MyTravel Airways UK airline business. Jurgen Buser joined Thomas Cook UK and Ireland as Chief Financial Officer inJuly 2006 from Thomas Cook AG. His role encompasses Finance, Procurement andProperty. Prior to joining Thomas Cook, Jurgen gained nine years of experiencein the financial services sector. Pete Constanti, Executive Director Holidays Division, has more than 24 years ofexperience in the travel industry. In his current role he is responsible foroverseas purchasing, sales centres, overseas operations, UK operations, customerservices and the company's hotel interests. He joined Thomas Cook in 1996. Ian Derbyshire, Executive Director Holidays Division, joined Thomas Cook inMarch 2000 and has 22 years travel industry experience. His responsibilitiesinclude yield management, product and publishing, specialist businesses such asNeilson, Club 18-30, Bridge/Cresta, Thomas Cook Signature, Tradewinds andBusiness Travel Management. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange