Thomson hires new head

Thomson Holidays, the UK’s most successful holiday brand, has hired former Disney Channel marketing department head Thom Noble as its marketing director.

Noble becomes the travel company’s first marketing chief for more than a year.

The job has been vacant since former marketing director Shaun Powell was promoted to managing director in February last year.

Powell has been overseeing the marketing strategy of the group until a replacement could be found.

Whitbread marketer Ed Aspel took the position in May last year, but left only weeks later to take up the role of marketing and strategic planning director at bar chain Brannigans.

Noble will report to Powell, who wants Thomson brands to be treated “more like consumer goods”.

He will be responsible for extending the market leader’s share in the package holiday sector. He will also help to develop a range of sub-brands such as Platinum, Just and Club Freestyle.

Noble left his job as Disney UK marketing director suddenly earlier this year after two years in the post. No reason was given for his departure.