McEwan takes Lunn Poly MD role

Management shake-up

McEwan takes Lunn Poly MD role

THOMSON Travel Group has appointed strategic development director John McEwan as Lunn Poly managing director.

He will report to UK distribution MD Nigel David.

The move will relieve David of the day-to-day running of the multiple and enable him to focus on e-commerce business and the group’s call centres.

McEwan said: “Nigel’s agenda had grown and we felt it was important that Lunn Poly, as the largest distribution channel, continued to have a dedicated focus.”

McEwan said he will look to develop a broader range of services in the network with “significant investment” in foreign exchange.

Developing systems to improve its relationships with customers is also crucial, saidMcEwan.

“Every year the industry shops around for its customer base. I want to find out about our customers and keep them.”

McEwan revealed the multiple will roll out a Web-enabled selling system to shops next year, while a refurbishment programme to update branches will continue.

“There will be a move towards call centres and e-commerce and the shop plan needs to be relevant,” he said.

Lunn Poly will also look to add to its lone Superstore, in Leicester’s Fosse Park.

On discounts, McEwan said it would be hard to move away from a price-driven market in the short term. He said: “While we have discounts in the market, Lunn Poly has to be competitive.”

He also ruled out introducing service fees for package holidays.

McEwan: developing customer relations