Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

BA director takes helm at Thomson Travel

Lucy Baker
Thursday 04 November 1999 19:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

THOMSON TRAVEL, the UK's largest package holiday company, yesterday named Charles Gurassa, the British Airways manager who was recently ousted from BA's executive committee, as its new chief executive.

Mr Gurassa is currently BA's director of passenger and cargo business. He had been touted as a successor to Bob Ayling, the airline's chief executive, but was unexpectedly dropped from the inner circle after a shake-up, instigated by Mr Ayling, in September.

In January, he will fill the Thomson role, which was vacated by Paul Brett in July following a gloomy profit warning, and which has since been filled by Roger Burnell, formerly the group's chief operating officer. It is understood that Mr Burnell was "disappointed that he didn't get the job", but will stay on for a few months to ensure a smooth handover. Peter Long, the chief executive of rival First Choice and Mark McCafferty, the head of the Avis car rental group, had also been touted as possible candidates.

It is expected that Mr Gurassa's salary and bonus package will be about pounds 600,000.

Thomson also said yesterday that its non-executive chairman, Michael Brown, would stand down at the group's annual meeting in April.

Shares in Thomson closed up 1p at 93p.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in