Thomas Cook axes 17 jobs as part of restructure

Following last month’s appointment of Kevin Styles as group marketing director, Thomas Cook has axed 17 jobs in its marketing department as it integrates its sales and marketing divisions.

The original combined total staff for marketing functions at JMC Holidays and Thomas Cook Distribution was 58. Several functions, including public relations, internal communications and customer relationship management, have been centralised under the marketing banner.

As well as the 17 job losses, the restructuring will see further members of the marketing team transferred to other departments. The new marketing department will be located in Peterborough. Previously some staff were based in London.

Styles has also introduced a new marketing management structure – Mark Fells, former head of brand strategy for Thomas Cook Distribution is now head of brand strategy. Keith Hendry, former head of retail marketing, becomes head of sun and shop environment, and Kate Knowles, former marketing manager for Thomas Cook foreign exchange, becomes head of explorer and foreign exchange. Caroline Tosswill becomes head of new channel (including the new Thomas Cook TV satellite channel). Previously she was head of online marketing.

The company claims that it will not cut its £11m ad spend for next year.

Last week, the holiday company announced that it is to cut 1,500 jobs in the UK and is asking staff to take a pay cut of up to ten per cent. Among the early redundancies were managing director Simon Vincent and deputy managing director Terry Williamson.