CARLSON’S head of buying, Bruce Shepherd, is to leave the company following the first phase of its integration with Thomas Cook (Travel Weekly March 15).
Shepherd, who has been with Carlson and AT Mays for 11 years, is expected to leave within the next six weeks to set up his own design and print business in Manchester.
Carlson Information Technology director Bill Donaldson has already left the company, while Worldchoice managing director Chris Browne is also expected to leave after not being appointed to one of the new joint boards.
“It was a mutual decision between myself and Thomas Cook,” said Shepherd. “There is certainly no animosity, no bitterness and no frustration on my part.
“Thomas Cook has been thoroughly professional in dealing with the situation and asked me to stay on for a few weeks to help with the integration which I am more than happy to do.”
Thomas Cook announced last week it will close Carlson’s headquarters – where Shepherd is based – by the end of June and merge operations with Peterborough.
Up to 155 jobs are expected to be lost, with a further 170 staff found positions elsewhere in the company.
Meanwhile, Thomas Cook is looking to develop Carlson’s warehouse-style travel agency which it launched last year.
Operations and deputy retail managing director Manny Fontenla-Novoa said it may also look at Holiday Hypermarket-style agencies.
Fontenla-Novoa added the retail chain will be split into four regions, instead of the current three following the inclusion of the Carlson retail chain.
Four regional heads of sale have been appointed, with 32 Carlson Worldchoice sales managers vying for 30 new positions.