Bowden-Doyle quits Lastminute.com

LASTMINUTE.COM UK managing director Richard Bowden-Doyle is leaving the online agency after nine months as part of a company-wide restructure. Following a raft of acquisitions this year, including the £12.1 million purchase of hotel booking firm First Option in January and the £54.9 million share deal for rival online agency Online Travel Corporation, it has been decided the role of UK MD is too big for one person.

Medhotels MD John Kent will take over as retail MD, with responsibility for Lastminute.com's consumer-facing business. Online Travel Corporation chief executive officer Mark Jones will be responsible for the group's trade-focused and business-to-business operations.

Bowden-Doyle joined Lastminute.com in January this year.