TUI UK&I, which is part of the London based TUI Travel plc group, has announced that Fraser Ellacott, currently Managing Director of Thomson & Island Cruises, will join the UK&I board in the newly created position of Customer Operations Director.

Ellacott, who has been the Managing Director of Thomson & Island Cruises since 2011, will now be responsible for all customer facing areas including retail, financial services, contact centres, overseas holiday experience, commercial and ancillaries and the property portfolio. He will also retain responsibility for the Thomson Cruises business, TUI UK & Ireland said in a statement.

Ellacott will report into David Burling, MD of TUI UK&I and start his new role on 1st October 2013. 

David Burling, MD of TUI UK&I said: “Consistent delivery of outstanding customer service at every touch point is crucial to the success of our business and therefore we’ve taken the decision to bring all customer facing roles together in a dedicated customer operation team. I’m pleased to confirm that Fraser Ellacott will take responsibility for this team as the Customer Operations Director and join the UK&I board effective from 1st October 2013. Over the last two years, Fraser has successfully developed the brand strategy for Thomson Cruises and grown the profitability of this area of our business and moving forward he will be instrumental in the growth of our multi-channel customer proposition.”

Ellacott started his career at British Airways where he spent 15 years climbing the management ladder with roles in Engineering, Commercial and Operations. He joined First Choice Airways in 2005 and became a Director of Thomson Airways following the merger of TUI Tourism and First Choice Holidays in 2007. He was appointed Managing Director of Thomson Cruises in April 2011