Simon Cooper, the founder and CEO of On The Beach Group is to step down next year.
Cooper, who set up the North West online beach holiday retailer in 2004, will remain part of the company as non-executive Founding Director.
Shaun Morton, the Group’s Chief Financial Officer will replace him, once his own replacement has been recruited.
“On the Beach has had an amazing journey in the 18 years since I founded it and I feel that now is the right time to hand over the reins to my successor. I am confident that Shaun is the right person to guide On the Beach through the next phase of growth and take advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead,” said Cooper.
“Everyone that works in the travel industry has experienced immense change over the past few years and with the travel industry now returning to pre-Covid levels, I have every confidence in On the Beach continuing to be a success and look forward to transitioning to my new Founder Director role once the right CFO candidate has been selected.”
Morton joined On The Beach in 2018, becoming CFO in 2020. During that time he helped guide the group through the Covid-19 pandemic and led investment in its brand, technology and customer operations.
“I am honoured and excited to take over from Simon as CEO of On the Beach, a company that he started from nothing nearly two decades ago,’ added Morton.
“The travel industry is constantly evolving and I am confident that On the Beach’s flexible model will continue to win market share while delivering excellent value for our customers. The strategy that we as a senior leadership have put in place is the right one and having Simon remain with the Group in his Founder Director role will be invaluable as we execute against this strategy.”
Richard Pennycook, Chair of On the Beach Group plc said:
“I am delighted that Shaun has agreed to succeed Simon as CEO of On the Beach. Shaun’s diligent approach to the Group’s finances through the pandemic has ensured we exited Covid with a strong balance sheet and this stands us in good stead as we look to the next growth phase. I have worked closely with Shaun since becoming Chair and I share Simon’s confidence in Shaun’s excellent leadership credentials and have no doubt that he is the right person to lead OTB onto the next chapter.
“The Board and business as a whole will continue to benefit from Simon’s deep knowledge of the company he has built, the technology that drives it and the wider travel environment in his Founder Director role and I look forward to working with him in this capacity.”
