Tributes have been paid to former Thomson Holidays boss Charles Newbold who died recently, aged 73.
His son Luca Newbold said Charles worked at Thomson from the time that he graduated in 1971, until he retired in 1999, and was managing director at Thomson Holidays for 10 years.
“From having met people at industry events over the years, it is clear that he had an impact on the careers of many people in the travel industry, and I know he was very well regarded,” said Luca.
Luca Newbold and his brother Nicholas run Latin American specialist Llama Travel, and Charles helped them with the company from time to time.
When he retired, Charles was development director at Thomson Travel Group, in charge of acquiring and developing businesses.
Richard Bowden-Doyle, current chairman of Titan Travel UK, worked with Charles when he transferred to Thomson Holidays from Lunn Poly in the mid-1990s.
Initially Bowden-Doyle was marketing director, then his deputy and finally took over from him as Thomson Holidays MD when Charles decided to plan his early retirement.
Bowden- Doyle said of Charles: “He was, indeed is, one of my foremost work and life role-models. In work I learned much from him that I have tried to carry into my own career – clarity of thought, courage, integrity, respect for people and a willingness to stand alone when necessary, all done with that wonderfully dry wit.
“I have always envied his ability to plot his own future on his own terms, stepping back from work at a young age to spend more time doing what he wanted to do and being with the people he wanted to be with.
“He was a great character and will be much missed.”
Russell Amerasekera, former communications director at Thomson Travel Group, knew Charles for more than 30 years and described him as “a tour operating genius – probably the best the industry has ever seen”.
“He had that rare combination of a brilliant analytical brain combined with insight and intuition and the kindest heart,” said Amerasekera.
“He was always inspired and driven by a desire to create something lasting and of value for the industry because he truly believed that customers deserved to have memorable and wonderful holidays and travel experiences, and that the industry has a responsibility to give them that.
“Travel has lost a true visionary and innovator and, most of all ,one of the finest human beings you could ever wish to meet.”