Thomas Cook UK and Ireland chief executive John Bloodworth is standing down from his position with immediate effect due to “a difference in management approach”.
He will step down from the board of the Thomas Cook Group at the end of the year, but will remain as a director of the group until the end of March next year to assist with the integration and other projects.
A spokeswoman denied speculation that Bloodworth, formerly MyTravel UK managing director until the company’s merger with Thomas Cook in June, left because of the merger, which involves the closure of MyTravel’s Rochdale offices and staff moving to Thomas Cook’s headquarters in Peterborough. The majority of MyTravel’s Going Places shops are being rebranded under the Thomas Cook logo.
She added: “The was no row or fall out, it was a mutual agreement made by both parties.”
The search for a replacement for Bloodworth is already under way. The group’s joint chief executive Manny Fontenla-Novoa will assume direct responsibility for the division until a replacement is found.
Thomas Cook Group chairman Thomas Middelhoff said: “The board would like to thank John for his significant contribution to the MyTravel Group and for ensuring the merger of MyTravel and Thomas Cook Group ran smoothly and that the synergies within the UK and Ireland businesses are on track to be realised.
“We appreciate John’s continued assistance in the UK over the next six months.”
Bloodworth added: “I wish my UK team and the Thomas Cook Group much success and all the best for the future.”