Barrhead Travel president Sharon Munro is to leave the Scottish travel agency chain.
Managing director Jacqueline Dobson is to step up to the top job of president from January 1 2019.
Barrhead Travel was acquired by US travel giant Travel Leaders in March.
Munro, daughter of founder Bill Munro – whose departure was confirmed last month – has been at Barrhead for 28 years and is stepping down for personal reasons.
She became president after the Travel Leaders takeover, having previously held the title of chief executive.
Sharon Munro said: “I would like to thank our staff for their hard work and dedication, our loyal and growing number of customers and our brilliant partners – they are all part of the successful Barrhead Travel story. I would also like to thank Travel Leaders Group for their support for making us part of their global family. The benefits of scale and expertise mean the business is in great shape and they have helped prepare Barrhead Travel for the next stage of our development.
“This has been a very difficult decision for me. But for purely personal reasons I have decided that the time is right to leave and I am handing over the reins to my extremely capable friend and colleague Jacqueline Dobson. Jacqueline is the natural successor and I know that the company, staff and customers will be in safe hands with the continuity, dedication and passion that she brings to the business.”
Dobson added: “Following Sharon’s decision to leave the business, I am delighted to be asked to serve as president of Barrhead Travel on our continued path to growth and future success. I have worked alongside Sharon for 18 years – she is a friend as well as a colleague from whom I have learned a great deal.”
Dobson said the investment of Travel Leaders Group gives Barrhead the “resources and commercial scale” to “improve our position in the ever-changing UK travel and tourism marketplace”.
She added: “It is an exciting time to be taking over the helm. There is a sense of energy and momentum as we work on major investment plans to drive growth.”
“As we evolve, we will stay true to what we are truly great at – world-class customer service. Expertise and superb personal service is why Barrhead Travel is bucking the trend and expanding while many other high street retailers struggle. Our customers know they are booking with a brand they can trust and they know they are dealing with people who want to make their holiday dreams come true. Our staff are the heart and soul of our growth and why we will continue to put people first in 2019.
Ninan Chacko, chief executive of Travel Leaders Group, said: “We wish to extend tremendous thanks and appreciation to Sharon for her leadership, vision and dedication to Barrhead Travel. She has been a true partner and outstanding professional. We respect her decision to embark upon a new chapter and wish her the very best.
“We are delighted to have Jacqueline take over as the new president of Barrhead Travel. Her deep knowledge of the company, extensive experience, strong relationships and well-established leadership skills, make her a tremendous fit for the role. Jacqueline is very well positioned to ensure a smooth and seamless leadership transition and we congratulate her on this well-deserved promotion.”
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