Thomas Cook takes ‘major step’ with digital advisory board

A “major step” in the expansion of Thomas Cook’s online capability has been announced with the creation of a Digital Advisory Board.

A “major step” in the expansion of Thomas Cook’s online capability has been announced with the creation of a Digital Advisory Board.

This will ”facilitate strategic innovation and differentiation” across the business within the digital arena.

The 12-strong DAB will play an important role in developing the business’ digital capability and will advise and inform the group’s board on digital issues, Cook said.

Group chief executive Harriet Green will jointly chair the group with head of digital excellence John Straw.

Four independent experts will sit on the advisory body – Simon Darling, Tom Wood, Laurence John and Marco Ryan.

Darling, chief executive at Jack & Anna Group and founder of Quiet Riots is a web product expert, user experience guru Wood is partner at Foolproof, venture capitalist John is founder and chief executive of Project Elpful and Ryan is an e-commerce expert as partner and managing director at Accenture Internative.

Green said: “A vital element in our transformation of Thomas Cook is the development and implementation of our digital strategy. Today we are taking an essential and significant step forward with the creation of the Digital Advisory Board.

“The DAB will make a significant contribution to the success of Thomas Cook.

“It, in addition to the group’s executive team, includes an exceptional array of independent experts whose input will be invaluable to our activities.

“I am delighted that Simon, Tom, Laurence and Marco have agreed to join us in this exciting and important initiative and look forward to working with them.”