Chris Mottershead has enjoyed a long and distinguished career in the travel industry since starting as Group Finance Director at Aspro Travel Ltd in 1990, prior to joining Airtours Holidays in 1993. Chris was later promoted to Managing Director of Airtours Holidays in 1997 and subsequently became President and Chief Executive of its North American division.   In late 2001, Chris became Managing Director of TUI UK, a position he held for three years. 

Between 2005 and 2009, Chris spent time working outside the major travel companies when he founded - and was Chief Executive of Travelzest plc - an acquisitive AIM listed company purchasing a number of niche operators and online travel retailers. In 2009, Chris and his family relocated to Toronto where he became First Choice Canada Chief Executive before moving to Moscow in 2010 to take up the role of TUI Russia & CIS Managing Director for almost 4 years. 

Chris joined Thomas Cook in April 2015 and became Managing Director for Thomas Cook Group’s UK & Ireland business in September of that year. Chris was appointed Chief of Product & Operations, Thomas Cook Group plc, in September 2017, reporting to the Group Chief Executive Officer and had responsibility for all overseas operations, hotel contracting, quality and health & safety, for all Thomas Cook Group plc source markets. 

Following the demise of Thomas Cook Group plc in September 2019, Chris joined Travel Leaders Group (UK) Ltd to lead the expansion of its subsidiary, Barrhead Travel until February 2021. 

Chris is a qualified accountant and currently President of the Institute of Travel and Tourism, Chairman of the Thomas Cook Children’s Charity and a Trustee/Director of The Just A Drop charity which brings sustainable safe water, sanitation and hygiene projects to communities.