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Virgin names replacement for MD Joe Thompson
Siobhan Fitzpatrick has been appointed senior vice president of Virgin Holidays and Digital to replace managing director Joe Thompson who is leaving the business after 17 years.
Fitzpatrick joins from Virgin Atlantic where she was VP Digital and Distribution for the last two years.
In her new, expanded remit, she will continue to oversee the digital development and transformation of both brands, as well as lead the Virgin Holidays’ business.
Prior to her appointment at Virgin Atlantic, she spent 15 years in retail with Argos and Homebase, and her background includes digital commerce and transformation, customer experience and marketing.
"I’m delighted to be taking on the role of SVP, Virgin Holidays and Digital and I’m committed to building on the fantastic momentum and substantial contributions that Joe Thompson, along with the wider Virgin Holidays team have achieved, whilst continuing to grow the digital business across both brands," she said.
Fitzpatrick will report into Juha Jarvinen, chief commercial officer, Virgin Atlantic, which continues the closer co-operation between the Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Holidays’ teams.
Thompson will oversee a handover period with Fitzpatrick before he leaves the company.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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