Thomas Cook picks Green as CEO

Thomas Cook Group plc has named Harriet Green to succeed Sam Weihagen as its Group CEO. Green joins Thomas Cook July 30, 2012 at which time Sam Weihagen will step down from the board of directors. Weihagen remain with Thomas Cook until Sept. 30, 2012 to ensure a seamless transition. Green is currently CEO of Premier Farnell plc and a non-executive director of BAE Systems plc and the Fortune 200 company, Emerson Electric Co. She has extensive experience of driving business transformation and change programs globally. At Premier Farnell she has overseen a period of significant strategic change, driving industry leading returns and creating a cost-effective, multi-channel operation where the majority of business is now transacted through e-commerce channels. Having lived and worked internationally throughout her career, Green believes in building strong, high performance teams and has sustained a focus on execution, operational excellence, employee engagement and innovation. Thomas Cook chairman, Frank Meysman said: “I am delighted to be able to announce the appointment of such an exceptional Group CEO. Harriet is an extremely successful executive with the right combination of international, business transformation and e-commerce experience that we need to take the Group forward, and build on our strong reputation and brand. I am confident that she will be an excellent leader for the Group management team as we continue our transformation.” Meysman also expressed the board’s gratitude to Sam Weihagen “for stepping into the role in August last year and providing the Group with the benefit of his experience through a difficult period, putting the Group on a firmer footing. He retires with our very best wishes for the future.” As for Green, she said: “Thomas Cook is an iconic brand in the leisure travel industry. I am very excited to be joining the team at this time, to lead the business forward as we rebuild shareholder value through innovation and a sustained focus on the needs of our customers, suppliers and employees.”