Neil Hardy returns to Co-operative Travel in new trade role

Neil Hardy has returned to Co-operative Travel in a new role as Head of Omni-Channel Development.

His appointment coincides with the departure of Alistair Rowland, current Chief Retail Officer for Midcounties Co-operative’s Specialist Business, who is to become Chief Executive of Blue Bay Travel, one of the largest members of the Midcounties Co-operative’s travel consortium.

At the same time, Midcounties Co-operative has also appointed its first Chief Marketing Officer.

Rowland, who leaves after ‘nine great years’, will continue as a non-executive advisor for the travel business, and help to strengthen the relationship between the Midcounties Co-operative and its travel consortium partners.

He starts his new role with Blue Bay Travel on 1 September and will continue as ABTA Chairman. Current Blue Bay Travel CEO Stuart Wilson will take the role of Group Executive Director on 1 September. Maxine Rowland will step down from her position of Managing Director after a handover period and will stay on in the business.

Hardy re-joins the Co-operative Travel after previously leading its ecommerce team for two years before taking director-level digital roles at Icelolly.com and Shearings Holidays.

His appointment follows the transfer of 16 travel branches from Central England Cooperative in July, which brought the Midcounties Co-operative’s portfolio of travel shops to over 70 and increased its presence in the east of England.

He will initially focus on the development of Co-op Holidays, ensuring consistency between the society’s high street, digital and online travel business.

Hardy said: "I’m extremely excited to be a part of the Midcounties team again, and motivated by the new challenges we’re facing. It’s clear that our business increasingly needs to deliver a consistent member experience through many different channels and I look forward to helping to achieve that."

Meanwhile, Alison Bain has been appointed CMO at Midcounties.

Bain is the society’s first CMO and will look to further strengthen the business as a member-owned organisation by increasing the value of trade with members and developing the brand across all its trading businesses.

She was previously Senior Vice President and Head of Marketing and Communications, EMEA for Gallagher Insurance.

She also spent 14 years at American Express, latterly as Vice President and Head of International Brand, Marketing and Communications.