Speculation is mounting that Sir David Michels, the former Hilton Group boss and deputy chairman of Marks & Spencer, is one of two candidates lined up to become chairman of Thomas Cook.
According to a Sky News City Editor Mark Kleinman, Michels has been approached about replacing Michael Beckett, who is due to step down at next February’s annual meeting.
He believes a decision about Beckett’s successor is likely to be made within weeks.
Michels is due to step down from the M&S board in the next few months. He is also on the Board of easyJet and is due to step down from that role by the end of the year.
“Michels would be a logical choice as Thomas Cook’s chairman. One large shareholder in the travel group told me this afternoon that he would bring “enough grit and guile to turn the company around”,†said Kleinman.
