Gilles joins from German travel portal HolidayCheck AG where he was chief executive.
He will sit on the company’s group executive committee and will take responsibility for digital sales performance across the group.
Thomas Cook chief executive Peter Fankhauser said: “[Despas] has a proven track record in international e-Commerce and I am confident he will play a key role in delivering an even better experience for Thomas Cook customers however and wherever they want to interact with us.”
Despas added: “It is a great challenge to work for such an established and respected global brand and also to be part of the transformation of the Group as it develops a leading online presence in the travel industry."
Despas replaces Graham Cook who had served as interim group head of digital operations.
