Former Tui UK commercial director Andrew Flintham, who was poised to join Thomas Cook as its UK chief, is to succeed Tui UK managing director Nick Longman.
Flintham was announced as Thomas Cook UK managing director in October and was due to take over at the company in March as successor to Chris Mottershead, who has become chief of UK source market and group differentiated product.
But Flintham will now succeed Longman as Tui UK head on March 1. Longman’s departure after 20 years at Tui was announced in early February.
Tui announced the surprise turnaround this morning.
Flintham said: “I am delighted to become the new managing director of Tui UK and Ireland, a role I couldn’t imagine would become available when I resigned the commercial director position a few months ago.
“I look forward to working with such a great team again as we continue to take our business forward.”
Flintham has spent 13 years at Tui as commercial director, mainstream planning director, aviation planning director and planning and trading director, having previously worked at British Airways.
In October 2017 when his departure to join Thomas Cook was announced, Flintham had said: “I’m very excited to be joining Thomas Cook to lead the UK business at such an interesting time for the tour operating industry.”
A spokesman from Thomas Cook confirmed Chris Mottershead will continue to manage the UK & Ireland until a replacement is found.
“We wish Andrew all the best in his new role,” he added.