Even rivals can’t help liking Manny Fontenla-Novoa, who will become chief executive of the enlarged Thomas Cook Group after its merger with MyTravel. “He’s one of the nicest guys you’ll meet,” said one tour operator.

Mr Fontenla-Novoa, 52, was born into a wealthy family in Galicia, but left Spain for Britain in 1965, when he was 11. He joined Thomas Cook at 18 and rose to become director of retail accounting, before joining Harry Goodman’s International Leisure Group in 1988.

When it collapsed in 1991 he helped set up Sunworld, which was later sold to Thomas Cook, to where Mr Fontenla-Novoa returned. As chief executive of the UK and Ireland division, he turned a £50 million loss into a profit last year of £87.1 million. He joined the management board just over a year ago and in December was elevated to group chairman and chief executive.

Mr Fontenla-Novoa lives in Northamptonshire with his wife and four children.

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