Dertour communications chief Rachel O’Reilly to leave Kuoni parent

Dertour UK communications director Rachel O’Reilly is to leave the parent company of Kuoni on June 26 after 12 years.

O’Reilly is leaving to set up an independent communications and coaching consultancy, with her duties being added to an extended remit for Dertour UK sustainability director Claire Ross.

O’Reilly has more than 30 years’ experience in the travel industry and joined Kuoni in 2013 as the tour operator was expanding its retail division, digital presence and product range.

She expanded her role to become director of communications for Dertour UK in April last year, with a focus on corporate communications following the Dertour Group’s acquisition of Hotelplan. 

Ross’s role will be expanded to include responsibility for communications in addition to her current sustainability brief.

Dertour UK joint chief executive Benjamin Boesch said: “I would like to thank Rachel for her support and expertise over the years, first at Kuoni and then with Dertour UK.

“Communications is a key function of our business and Rachel’s guidance has been highly valuable for us.

“With Claire Ross, who has an intricate knowledge of our business and our people, we are well set up for the future. I look forward to continuing working with her and her team in this expanded role.” 

O’Reilly said: “It’s been an absolute privilege to be part of the international Dertour Group, working with some of the most respected specialist travel brands in the industry, Kuoni being one of them.

“Both as a spokesperson in front of the camera and behind the scenes managing the messaging, I’ve worked through many world events and business change stories and thrived on steering our brands and our people through them.” 

In a post on LinkedIn, she added: “I’m at a point in my life and career when I want to work in a different way so I’m going to be launching a new communications and coaching consultancy and will share more soon.

“For communications at Dertour UK, I’m leaving it in the safe hands of my good friend Claire Ross, who will expand her role to lead on sustainability as well as comms.”