Thomas Cook retail chief executive Ian Derbyshire has quit after 11 years with the company, it was confirmed today.
A spokesperson stressed Derbyshire took the decision to leave earlier this year, but decided to remain to see through the Competition Commission's investigation into the merger between Thomas Cook and The Co-operative Travel.
He said he was leaving to run a child activity business launched by his family in the northwest.
"Leaving is such a wrench, but it is time now to concentrate on my family and taking our small but successful, North West venture to the next level," he said. "The retail joint venture will be industry changing – something that Thomas Cook excels at – and I will be the most avid onlooker as the deal is completed and the merged company comes to life."
Derbyshire is the second senior member of the Thomas Cook management team to leave this month, following hard on the heels of chief executive Manny Fontenla-Novoa who quit last week.
Sam Weihagen, the recently appointed Interim chief executive officer, said: "I'd like to thank Ian for his invaluable contribution over the past eleven years. He will be sorely missed but we wish Ian and his family every success in the future."
Simon Robinson, formerly managing director UK of the Online Travel Agency, will take over the role for the joint venture with the Co-op upon competition of the deal, which is expected in early October.
Weihagen added: "I'm very pleased he is taking on his new and enlarged role as he brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience."
By Linsey McNeill
