Thomas Cook is a step closer to getting charitable status for the safer tourism foundation set up in memory of Christi and Bobby Shepherd.
Belinda Phipps, a strategist from the charity and public sectors, has been appointed to work two days a week as a consultant to seek authorisation from the Charity Commission for the foundation.
Thomas Cook announced last year it would put £1 million into setting up a charity to raise awareness of safety issues, as a result of the deaths the two children from carbon monoxide poisoning in Corfu 10 years ago.
Sharon Wood, the children’s mother, is a trustee.
Christi and Bobbi died while on a Thomas Cook holiday in Corfu in 2006 and the operator was severely criticised at last year’s inquest into how it handled the tragedy.
Phipps (pictured), who is chair of the Fawcett Society and chief executive of the Science Council and who has previously headed up the National Childbirth Trust and East Berkshire NHS trust, will lead the new charity’s strategy, constitution and branding, according to the Guardian.
Her fees will be paid by Thomas Cook.
Meanwhile, Thomas Cook chief executive Peter Fankhauser has told the Sunday Times that listening to lawyers’ advice over the handling of the Corfu case when he took over 18 months ago was the biggest mistake of his career.
"I should have asked to meet the family immediately to apologise the moment I walked in as chief executive," he said.
