Thomson boss quits to join travel website

Former Thomson Holidays managing director Richard Bowden-Doyle has joined online travel booking service Thetrainline.com as chief operating officer, with overall responsibility for marketing.

Bowden-Doyle will also oversee customer service and new business at the company, which is backed by Virgin Rail. He will be responsible for the relaunch of the website later this year.

Bowden-Doyle – who was also an executive director of Thomson Travel Group – was replaced by Shaun Powell at Thomson Holidays. Bowden-Doyle now reports to Thetrainline.com chief executive Alan Meekings.

Current marketing director Louise Furlong, who moved to Thetrainline.com from Virgin Group earlier in the year, still holds responsibility for marketing on a day-to-day basis, but she now reports to Bowden-Doyle.

Thetrainline.com recently launched an advertising blitz with TV, radio, press and outdoor work through Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe/Y&R, with media by Manning Gottlieb Media.

A spokeswoman claims Thetrainline.com’s marketing budget for the year to September will reach &£25m.

Meekings says: “This is another sign of the serious intent we have for the continued expansion of Thetrainline.com for the benefit of our customers.”