Thomas Cook Group has appointed the former chief executive of Gallaher Group, Britain’s largest tobacco company, as a non executive director. Nigel Northridge will join the Thomas Cook board from August 1.

He will also be appointed as a member of the Management Development and Remuneration Committee and the Nominations Committee.

Northridge was chief executive of Gallaher for seven years until 2007. Over his 30 years with the company he held a number of senior positions in general management and sales and marketing roles.

Commenting on the appointment, Thomas Cook Group chairman Dr Thomas Middelhoff said: “This appointment further strengthens and complements the composition of the Board.

“Nigel brings considerable and wide-ranging international experience to our deliberations as we execute and further develop our strategy and deliver value to our shareholders.”

Northridge is currently the senior independent non-executive director of Paddy Power plc and will become chairman of that company in January. He is also the senior independent non-executive director and chairman of the Remuneration Committee of Aggreko plc.