Saga Travel and Financial Services chief executive Andrew Strong is to step back from the business in the new year.
He is to retire from the over 50s travel and insurance specialist from February 1, 2017, after 15 years in various senior roles with the company.
Strong has been running Saga’s travel portfolio, including Saga Holidays, Saga Cruise, Titan and Destinology, and running its financial services businesses, since 2014.
He will continue as a non-executive director of Saga Cruises and provide mentoring and coaching to members of the group’s leadership team on a part-time basis.
Jeannette Linfoot, managing director of Saga’s tour operations, will report to Batchelor from February 1.
Saga Cruise chief executive Robin Shaw has been reporting to Batchelor since February this year.
Group CEO Lance Batchelor told staff: “Andrew Strong has decided to retire from his executive position to start a new chapter of his life doing a portfolio of non-executive work.
“This will mean standing aside from his executive responsibilities from 1st February 2017.
“Andrew has decided that the time is right for him to move from a full time executive role to work for a range of businesses in a directorship and consultancy capacity.
“However, I have been very keen to retain access to Andrew’s great passion for customers and our people as he builds a portfolio of business interests. I am therefore delighted that he will continue working with us as part of his portfolio, albeit in a different capacity and on a part time basis.
“Andrew has done an exceptional job for Saga and has given dedicated, long and loyal service in a number of key roles over the years.”