Thomas Cook-owned Elegant Resorts has appointed Nathan Philpot as managing director.
Philpot, currently director at WEXAS – The Traveller’s Club, will start in the role at the end of February, reporting into Thomas Cook managing director of scheduled businesses Sue Biggs. Philpot previously worked for Biggs as head of marketing at Kuoni.
The move completes a series of executive appointments following the acquisition of the business by Thomas Cook in April last year. Biggs, former Kuoni managing director, joined the Thomas Cook group last summer. Other appointments include Alison Scott, who previously worked for ITC Classics and has become commercial director. She has joined sales and operations director Michelle Sephton, IT director Bruce Wildgust, and head of finance Sharon Lloyd.
Former owners of Elegant Resortss Geoff Moss and Barbara Catchpole will continue as consultants to the business and Moss has been made honorary chairman.
Biggs said: “We have brought together a team with a wealth of experience to strengthen the Elegant Resorts brand.”
Philpot said one of his priorities would be to look at the tour operator’s relationship with travel agents, with a view to forging close ties with “a variety of intermediaries”.
He said: “I will be taking a good look at our trade business. Having been a luxury travel agent myself, I’ve witnessed the benefits that partnership with a luxury operator can provide.”
Elegant Resorts is based in Chester and is part of Thomas Cook’s independent division, led by chief executive of independent travel for the UK and Ireland Ian Derbyshire.