Mooney’s brief will include travel insurance, pre-paid travel money cards and Cook’s direct debit payment offering. The creation of the role is another strand of Cook’s ambition to grow sales of travel- related services, including financial products.

In the past year, Cook became one of the first providers to launch a multi-currency prepaid travel money card – Thomas Cook Cash Passport. It also claims to be the first tour operator to offer payment by online direct debit in the UK, allowing customers to spread payments over the pre-departure period.

Mooney joins from Virgin Money, where he was director of financial services. He will join the business on March 1 2017 and will sit on the company’s group management committee, reporting to Group Chief Financial Officer Michael Healy.

Peter Fankhauser, Thomas Cook chief executive, said: “It’s clear that Thomas Cook has an opportunity to offer more holiday-related products and services to customers who value the trust and heritage that comes with our brand. Anthony has strong experience in developing financial services products, and his appointment is a signal of our ambition to grow this area of the business.”

Mooney added: “I am very excited about the opportunity which exists for financial services at Thomas Cook. With the strongest brand in the sector, we have an opportunity to develop the financial services offer and help make travelling with Thomas Cook even easier.”