Tui UK & Ireland managing director Andrew Flintham is leaving to head up rival British Airways Holidays.
His departure after 17 years at Tui, including running the business for six years, is set to trigger a senior management reshuffle.
Flintham is making the switch to direct-sell British Airways Holidays at the end of October on the retirement of managing director Claire Bentley after 24 years at the helm.
Bentley has overseen a 25-fold growth in revenues at the operator during her tenure to more than £1.5 billion today and made BA Holidays one of the UK’s leading tour operators.
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Flintham has more than 25 years’ experience within travel and aviation, starting with a career in finance, which included six years at BA and then First Choice Holidays.
In 2007 he joined Tui, where he is responsible for leading 5,000 staff. Last year the company took six million customers on holiday.
Flintham said: “I have enjoyed leading Tui in the UK and helping to carve out its leading position.
“I very much look forward to returning to the IAG family, to build on the great work that Claire and her team have done in the holiday sector.
“IAG Loyalty [parent company] has grown exponentially in the past few years, and I look forward to harnessing the power of the Avios ecosystem to benefit BA Holidays customers and colleagues.”
Bentley said: “It’s been a difficult decision to retire, as British Airways Holidays has been my great passion, but I’ve known for some time that I need to adjust my priorities and take more care of myself.
“I am so proud to have been part of an amazing team that has delivered such incredible results and I am in no doubt that Andrew will bring a new and exciting perspective, from his broad and comprehensive industry experience.”
IAG Loyalty chief executive Adam Daniels said: “Throughout her career, Claire has shown a passion for growing the business without losing focus on a strong customer experience, people leadership and collaborative partnership approach.
“She has led British Airways Holidays through significant change and will be hugely missed by all, but I am pleased to say that we have found somebody who is also a true pioneer in the holiday industry, working for one of the UK’s most respected and successful tour operators.
“We look forward to working with Andrew and the team to continue to push the boundaries in the holiday sector and find new ways to reward loyal customers.”