Said Euan Sutherland, CEO, Saga, ‘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.’
Part of Saga’s growth strategy
Also commenting on the line’s growth strategy, Saga’s non-executive chairman Roger De Haan said, ‘I am delighted to welcome Anand, Michael and Ian to Saga. I look forward to working with them as we focus on delivering the next phase of our 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.’
Anand Aithal
Anand, who has extensive non-executive experience from fintech, insurance broking, asset management and accountancy, begins the role September 1. He co-founded his own data analytics business. Prior to this, he was a managing director at Goldman Sachs.
Anand is currently also lead non-executive board member for the UK Cabinet Office.
Michael O’Donohue
Michael O’Donohue’s joins from Camelot, the operator of the National Lottery, where he is now chief data officer. He has held senior positions with Centrica and Tesco, having formerly been a consultant with McKinsey and Company. He starts the position October 3.
Ian Simkins, currently the chair of luxury villa specialist, The Thinking Traveller, and of the Inside Travel Group which specialises in tailor-made trips to Japan and Asia, will become chair of Saga’s subsidiary Cruise Board. He has experience in the travel and wider consumer industries, specifically from the luxury travel market, having previously been the CEO of Audley Travel, where he grew turnover fivefold over seven years.
Before that, Simkins held senior positions at Tesco, TUI, British Airways and Thomson Holidays. He joins the Cruise Board on September 1.
