FIRST Choice chairman Ian Clubb will take a back seat on the board next year after handing over to group managing director Peter Long.
Long has been appointed group chief executive with immediate effect, with Clubb remaining in his current role. But Clubb admitted he is likely to become a non-executive director some time next year, claiming he has done what he set out to achieve at the Crawley operator.
He strenuously denied speculation that the restructure was sparked by a deterioration in his relationship with shareholders following the saga with firstly Kuoni and now Airtours.
“I remain on good terms with shareholders,” he said.
Long’s annual salary has risen from £325,000 to £400,000 and the City sees the move as a way of keeping him from Thomson, which is seeking a new chief executive.
Meanwhile, First Choice Holidays and Flights managing director Dermot Blastland has been promoted to UK and Ireland Tour Operations managing director and joins the board.
Group finance director Peter Brown will become managing director for distribution with Air 2000 managing director Ken Brown taking charge of the airline and aviation division.