Going Places picks Thorn chief as director

Going Places is hiring Francesca Ecsery-Merrens as its new marketing director. She joins from Thorn Europe after her job was axed (MW March 15).

Ecsery-Merrens replaces Kevin Welch, who left the holiday company after his role was downgraded by managing director Tony Bennett (MW March 15).

Welch had also been commercial director at the company before this role was taken up by Peter Shanks, who was appointed by

Bennett soon after he joined last autumn.

Bennett is a former strategic marketing and development director Europe at rival chain Thomas Cook, while Shanks also worked at Thomas Cook as commercial director.

Ecsery-Merrens is also thought to have worked at Thomas Cook prior to her move to Thorn. Her job at Thorn Europe had been created a year ago to give marketing support across the group’s rental chains.

She and advertising manager Geriant Holliman lost their jobs last week following Thorn’s decision to absorb their responsibilities into the marketing for each operation. These include retail brands Radio Rentals and Crazy George in the UK and Thorn in Scandinavia and DER in Denmark.

Welch is understood to be looking for a new position within the travel market.