Former Tui director Kathryn Darbandi has been appointed UK retail director of Thomas Cook and The Co-operative retail network.
Darbandi (née Ward) joins from Tui where she was retail, contact centres and financial services director. She will assume her new position at the beginning of April 2015, reporting into UK managing director Salman Syed.
The news comes as it was announced Joanna Wild, head of retail, has decided to leave the company.
The retailer Darbandi she would spearhead retail’s efforts to improve performance, driving the change required to further enhance the customer experience.
In her new role, Darbandi will lead Thomas Cook’s retail network, shaping an ‘omni-channel sales strategy’ and developing a culture of continuous improvement and digital capability. Reporting directly into Salman Syed, Kathryn will also join the UK Management Team.
“I’m delighted to announce that Kathryn will be joining us as UK retail director of the Thomas Cook and The Co-operative retail network,” said Syed.
“Kathryn is an accomplished business leader with substantial experience in the sector at a senior level. She is more than accustomed to the fast paced retail environment, and I am confident that the performance of our store network will go from strength to strength under her leadership.
“Ensuring that we have the right management structure in place to support the field team, the stores and our affiliated consortia members is vital in this stage of our development.
“Kathryn’s appointment reflects our ongoing commitment to the retail operation, which continues to be an integral part of the British high street and a popular way for our customers to book.
Darbandi said: “I am genuinely excited to be taking up the position of retail director of the Thomas Cook and The Co-operative retail network from April 2015.
“With a passion for both travel and retail, I feel honoured to have been given the opportunity to lead the retail arm of the business.
“I look forward to meeting the team in the near future, and to working with them as they continue to actively contribute towards the ongoing transformation of Thomas Cook UK.”
In December, Thomas Cook expanded its retail management team with the appointment of Clive Newton as head of retail north, alongside Jacqui Holt, head of retail central and Torey Kings-Hodkin, head of retail south. Newton, Holt and Kings-Hodkin will all report into Darbandi.
Also reporting into Darbandi will be Lucy Green, head of retail strategic development, Fraser Millar, head of FE strategy & development, and Kelly Cookesm head of Freedom and COPTA.
In the interim period ahead of her arrival, Kathryn’s management team will report into UK Finance Director Paul Hemingway and Salman Syed.