Thomas Cook chairman takes more shares

9th Feb 2011 16:18

Thomas Cook's chairman Michael Beckett has splashed out more than £100,000 on shares in the travel company.He took 55,000 shares at 195.5p a time, taking his stake to 100,000 shares.Shares in Thomas Cook have fallen since Beckett last took shares, buying 20,000 at 216p a time in May. In an update earlier this month, the company warned that the political turmoil in Egypt and Tunisia will knock £20m from its profits this quarter. A more serious worry is continuing consumer uncertainty, although chief executive Manny Fontenla-Novoa said the company has seen an increase in summer bookings.Profits in the year to September 30 were hurt by the ash cloud that grounded planes across Europe in April.Becket was appointed chairman in September 2009, having previously been deputy chairman. His other previous roles include chairman of the travel website MyTravel and the casino operator London Clubs International.