Gilles Despas joins Thomas Cook as chief digital officer

Gilles Despas joins Thomas Cook as chief digital officer

Thomas Cook has appointed Gilles Despas as chief digital officer. Despas will also sit on the company’s group executive committee. He joins from German travel portal HolidayCheck AG, where he was chief executive.

Thomas Cook has appointed Gilles Despas as chief digital officer.

Despas will also sit on the company’s group executive committee. He joins from German travel portal HolidayCheck AG, where he was chief executive.

In his role, Depas will be responsible for digital sales performance across the group and he will develop its digital strategy for the future.

In a statement, Thomas Cook said: “The continued development of Thomas Cook Group’s digital offering is central to the company’s strategy for profitable growth and Gilles will help it further develop its online presence in order to provide customers with the best experience, however and wherever they choose to interact with the company.”

Despas has previously worked for STA Travel and Ebookers.com.

Chief executive of Thomas Cook Group, Peter Fankhauser said: “I am delighted to welcome such an experienced executive in the European online travel sector to Thomas Cook.

“Gilles has a proven track record in international e-Commerce and I am confident he will play a key role in delivering an even better experience for Thomas Cook customers however and wherever they want to interact with us.

“His appointment is a further example of the high calibre team we are building at Thomas Cook.”

Speaking about his appointment, Despas said: “I am very pleased to be joining Thomas Cook Group at such an exciting time in its history.

“It is a great challenge to work for such an established and respected global brand and also to be part of the transformation of the Group as it develops a leading online presence in the travel industry.”