Management at the new Thomas Cook and Co-operative joint venture has been finalised ahead of its official launch of October 4th.

Two boards, both headed by executives from Thomas Cook, a shareholder and an operating board are all now in place.

Thomas Cook is the major shareholder in the new business.

The business will be governed the operating board, chaired by Ian Ailles, chief executive of Thomas Cook.

Three Thomas Cook staff – Phil Aird-Mash, chief executive of Independent sector; Michelle MacMahon, chief financial officer and Anne Billson Ross, human resources director – will join two Co-operative Group executives – Martyn Wates, deputy chief executive and Gill Barr, marketing director – and Martyn Cheatle, chief executive of Midlands Co-operative Society.

Paul Hemingway, finance director for travel and specialist retail at the Co-operative Group, has been named finance director of the new company.

The operating board will be chaired by Simon Robinson.

Commenting on the new team, Robinson said: “It has always been our intention to appoint a leadership team that combines the collective knowledge, experience and skills of all three businesses. 

“With the operating board members now in place, the priority now is for each of them to develop the proposed organisational structure for their respective parts of the new business; details of which will be communicated and consulted on in the appropriate way in the weeks and months following completion.”

Mike Greenacre

One major absentee from the new line up is Mike Greenacre, who will step down as managing director of Co-operative Travel.

Peter Marks, group chief executive of the Co-operative Group, said: “Mike has dedicated himself to the Co-operative movement in a variety of roles for 31 years and

“I would like to thank him for his commitment and achievements in leading our travel business through many years of significant change and growth.”