06 FEB 2018: TUI managing director UK and Ireland Nick Longman is leaving the company after 20 years to ‘pursue new business challenges’. In a statement TUI said, “Under Longman’s leadership, TUI UK and Ireland has achieved commercial success, launched two new cruise ships, seen developments in the Retail estate, the e-Commerce programme, Contact Centre operations and he led the business through the rebrand to TUI.”

All members of the UK & Ireland board will report into David Burling until a new managing director for TUI UK & Ireland is appointed.

Burling, CEO TUI Northern Region said, “Nick has been a fantastic colleague and has continually strived to do the best for the business and all those who work for it. I want to thank him for his support and thank him for all he’s done and wish him the very best for the future.”

Longman was appointed MD of TUI UK & Ireland at the beginning of June 2015. Previously he held various leadership roles since joining First Choice in 1998.

He was integration director for the merger of Thomson and First Choice in 2006 and UK distribution director in 2008, overseeing the move to direct distribution, the growth of online sales and the ‘revitalisation’ of TUI’s retail estate.