Thomas Cook chief quits for First Quench post

Off-licence group First Quench has poached Thomas Cook’s marketing director Kevin Styles to fill its director of sales and marketing post.

Styles, who has been at Thomas Cook for two years, takes up his new job at the start of March. He will review First Quench’s £2.3m advertising business – handled by Perspectives, Red Cell and Soup – and media, handled by MindShare.

The former J Sainsbury and Thomson marketer is leaving Thomas Cook at a difficult time. In November the company announced 1,500 UK job cuts.

Thomas Cook has yet to announce a replacement for Styles. He succeeds Paul Vines at First Quench, who has spent just six months in the position.

Styles says: “I had a great time at Thomas Cook, but I want to be at the forefront of a consumer-led company.”

He adds: “Victoria Wines stores will continue to be converted to Threshers. The brand will not disappear, but it will be vastly reduced.”