Derek Jones
Travel Industry Expert, investor, and non-exec director in Stratford Upon Avon, UK
Hey, I'm Derek.
I joined the travel industry as a travel rep in Ibiza in 1988 and within ten years had risen to Board Director at Thomson Holidays, and then Managing Director of Lunn Poly.
After overseeing the merger of Thomson and First Choice Retail in 2006, creating what is now the TUI distribution network, I left TUI to join the Kuoni Group.
When the Kuoni Group was acquired by REWE in 2016 I remained with the business as CEO of Der Touristik UK, a role which saw me take on responsibility for a portfolio of iconic UK travel brands including Kuoni, Kirker, Carrier, CV Villas, Jules Verne and Journey Latin America.
I left Der Touristik in 2022, having returning the business to full health and profitability following the Covid crisis.
I'm still very active in the travel sector as an advisor, investor and non-executive director. I'm Chair of Abta Lifeline, a charity which supports people in the travel industry when they find themselves in difficulty. I'm also an ambassador for the Family Holiday Charity.
I'm currently working with some amazing travel businesses, helping to drive ambitious growth plans.