Turnbull to leave First Choice

FIRST Choice Holidays marketing director Sam Turnbull is the latest high-profile departure from the operator.

Turnbull, who has worked with the company for 12 years, will leave at the end of January. His achievements include First Choice’s highly successful sponsorship of “I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!” and the rebranding last year of mainstream businesses under the First Choice banner.

First Choice said Turnbull plans to pursue new business interests after a lengthy career with the Crawley-based company.

His role will be overseen by group marketing director Phil Barden while a replacement is sought.

Other recent departures from First Choice include general manager long-haul John Riley and UK premium business sales director Paul Lacey, both made redundant last month, and Sunsail founder Chris Gordon.

Around 160 jobs across its Stourbridge and Weston-super-Mare offices are also under threat from an efficiency drive aiming to consolidate call-centre and back-office functions.