Andy Cooper quits ABTA, to join Thomas Cook

Andy Cooper, director-general of the FTO and head of development at ABTA, is set to become director of government and external affairs at Thomas Cook.

Cooper will report to Alexis Coles-Barrasso, group director of PR and communications for Thomas Cook Group. 

Cooper announced his decision just a month after ABTA head of policy David Marshall was made redundant.  Cooper was set to take on the role of political lobbying and his departure will leave the association needing to review how it will undertake its political lobbying, reported TravelWeekly. 

ABTA said it has no immediate plans to replace Cooper and that his key lobbying responsibilities will be shared by head of legal Simon Bunce, head of business development Keith Richards and chief executive Mark Tanzer. 

Related links: ABTA, Thomas Cook