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First Choice names new finance chief
The financial chief of British Gas is to join First Choice as group finance director.
Paul Bowtell is due to join the travel group in September after two years with the utility company, a subsidiary of Centrica. He replaces Andy Martin whose departure was announced in January and who left at the travel group’s AGM last month.
The new finance appointment came as First Choice issued a trading update. The group said “encouraging trading conditions” reported at the AGM on 11 March had continued and it remained confident about the outcome for the year.
Bookings for the UK and Ireland division have been ahead of last year since the AGM are are now cumulatively 3% behind the same period last year, with similar margins.
“The other divisions continue to experience strong sales with margins in line with the group’s expectations,” a statement said.
Commenting on the appointmemnt of Mr Bowtell, who was previously with WH Smith and Forte, First Choice chief executive Peter Long said: “He has the qualities and skills we require as a growing international leisure travel company. His considerable experience of consumer facing businesses will stand us in good stead as we continue to develop our differentiation strategy.”
First Choice announces its interim results for the half year to 30 April on 8 June.
Report by Phil Davies
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