Former Audley Travel chief Simkins, who is executive chair of luxury villa specialist The Thinking Traveller and non-executive chair of InsideJapan Tours and InsideAsia Tours parent Inside Travel Group, will chair Saga’s subsidiary cruise board.
Over a seven-year period at Audley, Simkins grew turnover fivefold according to Saga; he has also previously held senior roles at Tesco, Tui, British Airways and Thomson Holidays. He will take up his role on the cruise board from 1 September.
Former Goldman Sachs managing director Anand Aithal, meanwhile, joins the Saga board as independent non-executive director from 1 September. His non-executive experience spans fintech, insurance, asset management and accountancy. He also co-founded a data analytics business, and is lead non-executive board member for the UK Cabinet Office.
Elsewhere, Michael O’Donohue joins Saga’s leadership team following the brand’s announcement in July it was to create a new chief data officer role. O’Donohue joins from National Lottery operator Camelot where he held a like title. He will be responsible for "realising the potential in the way Saga uses customer insight to enhance its commercial value".
O’Donohue has also head senior positions with Centrica and Tesco, and has been a consultant with McKinsey and Company. He will join Saga on 3 October.
’Superbrand’
Sir Roger De Haan, Saga non-executive chair, said he looked forward to working with the trio as Saga turns its focus to delivering the next phase of its growth strategy. "They each bring extensive and relevant experience and expertise to the group at a time when the business is being reshaped towards a greater focus on marketing, content and distribution.”
Euan Sutherland, Saga chief executive, added: “I look forward to working with all three of the new appointees as we focus on delivering long-term, sustainable growth in the interests of all our stakeholders. Their wide-ranging specialisms further strengthen the group’s skillset at a time when we are rolling out our growth strategy and building Saga into the superbrand for older people.”
