Restructure splits Thomas Cook into three divisions

Operator continues to alter business in order to mirror structure of parent company C&N Touristic

Restructure splits Thomas Cook into three divisions

Report by STEVEJONES

New ties: Vincent, Soult and Windsor will all be working more closely with their German counterparts

THOMAS Cook is to undergo a further restructure after new chief executive Alan Stewart axed the role of chief operating officer and split the business into three divisions.

Stewart has separated distribution from tour operating in a move that will lead to more upheaval for senior executives. He said the structure now mirrors that of its Germany parent C&N Touristic with the aim of improving the exploration of cost-saving measures across the group.

Under the restructure, distribution has been removed from the remit of Simon Vincent, the former UK and Ireland chief operating officer, who now becomes tour operating managing director. Thomascook.com MD Andrew Windsor will head all group distribution, while Terry Soult remains JMC Airlines MD.

Vincent, Windsor and Soult will now appoint their own teams in a second phase of the shake-up.

Stewart denied that Vincent had effectively been demoted, stressing his role was crucial in finding synergies with his counterpart in Germany.

“It is not a lesser role,” said Stewart. “As well as co-ordinating our British Airways Holidays venture he will take a leading role in exploring synergies with C&N.”

Windsor and Soult will also work closely with their counterparts in Germany.

Following the changes, current JMC deputy managing director Terry Williamson is tipped to step up to MD with Richard Price a leading contender to take over Windsor’s job at thomascook.com. Manny Fontenla-Novoa is expected to remain as retail MD.

Senior Thomas Cook sources believe Stewart will not shirk tough decisions and will instill an urgency in decision making.

A source said: “Stewart is a tough operator who will not mind upsetting people if a decision has to be made.”