ABTA CONFERENCE: Thomson seeks marketer

Thomson, the UK’s biggest holiday operator, is looking for a

board-level marketing director to reverse its fortunes under new chief

executive Charles Gurassa.

The appointee will manage a budget of up to pounds 35m and head a team

that includes Brethne Walsh, head of advertising and branding, Deborah

Merrifield, head of relationship marketing, and Sonia Haynes, head of PR

and internal communications.

The new post-holder will report to Shaun Powell, who has been promoted

to acting managing director for Thomson Holidays, while former managing

director, Richard Bowden-Doyle, completes a top-to-bottom review of the

whole business.

Powell reports to Charles Gurassa, who from December 1 becomes chief

executive of Thomson Travel Group.

Gurassa, previously head of passenger services at British Airways,

replaces Paul Brett who was ousted earlier this year.

The operator last week issued a warning about low sales for this winter.

This article was first published on Marketing