Founder and owner of Jet2, Philip Meeson is planning to step down as executive chairman of the Group. Meeson is set to move to the role of non-executive chair by the end of this year and remain in that role until a successor is appointed.
Meeson bought the business in 1983, when it was a small cargo airline and distribution company serving the Channel Islands. In the last few years, he has delegated most of his executive responsibilities to the senior management team, led by chief executive Steve Heapy and group chief financial officer Gary Brown.
Speaking on his reasons for stepping down, Philip Meeson said: "I am extremely proud of the business I and colleagues have developed over the past 40 years and have huge respect for the newly enlarged board and the outstanding management team that over recent years has built up Jet2holidays to become the largest package holiday provider in the UK, together with Jet2.com, the UK's third largest airline.
"Jet2holidays is a well trusted UK leisure travel brand with a great in-house airline, which together - through our unwavering commitment to our customers and the ethos of 'People, Service, Profits' - have created a leading family friendly holiday product. I therefore remain confident in the outlook for the group, but I am conscious of my age and the need to plan an orderly succession. I remain committed to Jet2 and will support my successor and the management in any way I can,” Meeson concluded.