Ms Munro, who has worked in the business for 28 years, said she was leaving for “purely personal reasons” and that Ms. Dobson was her natural successor.
Ms. Munro said: “I would like to thank our staff for their hard work and dedication, our loyal and growing number of customers and our brilliant partners – they are all part of the successful Barrhead Travel story. I would also like to thank Travel Leaders Group for their support for making us part of their global family. The benefits of scale and expertise mean the business is in great shape and they have helped prepare Barrhead Travel for the next stage of our development.”
Ms. Munro added: “This has been a very difficult decision for me. But for purely personal reasons I have decided that the time is right to leave and I am handing over the reins to my extremely capable friend and colleague Jacqueline Dobson. Jacqueline is the natural successor and I know that the company, staff and customers will be in safe hands with the continuity, dedication and passion that she brings to the business.”
Ms. Dobson said: “Following Sharon’s decision to leave the business, I am delighted to be asked to serve as President of Barrhead Travel on our continued path to growth and future success. I have worked alongside Sharon for 18 years – she is a friend as well as a colleague from whom I have learned a great deal.”
Ms. Dobson added that, having worked in every area of the business, her focus will be on accelerating growth through investment from Travel Leaders Group, including digital innovation, staff development and world-class customer service.
“Travel Leaders Group are providing the resources and commercial scale to help us further improve our position in the ever-changing UK travel and tourism marketplace,” said Ms. Dobson. “It is an exciting time to be taking over the helm. There is a sense of energy and momentum as we work on major investment plans to drive growth.”
Ms. Dobson also stated: “As we evolve, we will stay true to what we are truly great at – world-class customer service. Expertise and superb personal service is why Barrhead Travel is bucking the trend and expanding while many other high street retailers struggle. Our customers know they are booking with a brand they can trust and they know they are dealing with people who want to make their holiday dreams come true. Our staff are the heart and soul of our growth and why we will continue to put people first in 2019.
Mr. Ninan Chacko, CEO of Travel Leaders Group, said: “We wish to extend tremendous thanks and appreciation to Sharon for her leadership, vision and dedication to Barrhead Travel. She has been a true partner and outstanding professional. We respect her decision to embark upon a new chapter and wish her the very best. Mr. Chacko added: “We are delighted to have Jacqueline take over as the new President of Barrhead Travel. Her deep knowledge of the company, extensive experience, strong relationships and well-established leadership skills, make her a tremendous fit for the role. Jacqueline is very well positioned to ensure a smooth and seamless leadership transition and we congratulate her on this well-deserved promotion.”
Ms Munro started her career as a school-leaver and rose through the ranks, becoming President following the acquisition of the company by Travel Leaders Group in February.
Ms. Dobson, who lives in Glasgow with her family, said: “All the team at Barrhead Travel would like to thank Sharon for her vision and guidance in making our company what it is today. We wish her well for the future.”
