The Co-operative Travel is to combine the operations of Freedom Travel Group and Future Travel businesses with the appointment of a single managing director – Jane Atkins.
Atkins was previously commercial director of Going Places and sales director of Airtours. She has been the head of Freedom Travel for the last 18 months and takes up the new role on June 29.
Future Travel is the homeworking business of The Co-operative Travel, while Freedom Travel Group is the consortia of independent agents.
She will be conducting a fundamental review of the business over the next month to put together a strategy to take the business forward. Future Travel head Sheena Darby will remain in her position during the review.
The Co-operative Travel Group managing director Mike Greenacre said the company like many others in travel is reviewing its business in the economic climate.
Greenacre said: “Jane has led a very successful period of growth for Freedom – both in terms of members and the business – and, with a more focused offering within Future, the board felt it was an appropriate time to merge the two similar business models’ back office functions. I am certain this will lead to huge benefits for everyone involved.
“Jane’s appointment will ensure that the synergies are fully maximised across the two businesses to improve the scale of support for both independent agents and homeworkers. Jane will continue to report to The Co-operative Travel director of distribution Alistair Rowland.”
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