Thomson hires head of marketing

Thomson Holidays has appointed Breffni Walsh as its new marketing chief following Shaun Powell’s promotion to deputy managing director.

Walsh, who becomes head of advertising and branding, was formerly sales support and trade marketing director for Forte Hotels. She replaces Andrea Preducov, who left Thomson earlier this month to join Sainsbury’s Homebase.

Powell, whose title was marketing and commercial director, was promoted earlier this year. A Thomson spokeswoman would not comment on whether the company intended to appoint a marketing and commercial director.

The news comes as the Broadcasting Standards Commission (BSC) upheld a complaint by Thomson against an item on the BBC’s consumer affairs programme Watchdog. Watchdog criticised Thomson for the way it cared for 500 customers whose holidays were ruined by Hurricane George in the Caribbean last autumn.

Thomson is also looking for a new chief executive, after Paul Brett resigned last month.