Thomas Cook (India) has announced the retirement of Madhavan Menon from his role as Executive Chairman, effective May 31, 2025. Menon, who has been with the organization for 25 years, will continue to serve as Non-Executive Chairman, offering mentorship and strategic guidance to the board and senior management.

With this transition, Mahesh Iyer, Managing Director and CEO, will now oversee the operations of the Thomas Cook India Group. The company’s board has approved Menon’s request for retirement while ensuring a seamless transition under Iyer’s leadership.

Menon’s tenure at Thomas Cook India has been marked by significant growth and expansion. He joined the company in 2000 as Executive Director, overseeing the Foreign Exchange business, and later assumed the role of Managing Director in 2006. He was appointed Chairman & Managing Director in 2016 and took on the role of Executive Chairman in July 2023.

Menon clarified that in taking over the Executive Chairman role, he has not assumed a new position but is refocusing his efforts on group-level strategy and harmony. This will include a greater external presence as the company's representative. The conversation also reflected on TCI's swift response during the Covid-19 pandemic. Significant cost-cutting, including a 50 per cent reduction, helped the business weather the crisis. Workforce productivity was also boosted through technology upgrades completed remotely.

Apart from his contributions to Thomas Cook India, Menon holds directorships in various subsidiaries and CSB Bank. He also serves as Chairman of the Fairfax India Charitable Foundation, which has played a key role in improving dialysis access across India, setting up over 1,400 dialysis machines in 300 centers nationwide.

Under his leadership, Thomas Cook India has strengthened its position as a leading omnichannel travel company, offering services across Foreign Exchange, Corporate Travel, MICE, Leisure Travel, and Value-Added Services. The company has also undertaken multiple acquisitions, expanding its footprint across 28 countries on five continents.

The Thomas Cook India Group operates a diverse portfolio of B2C and B2B travel brands, including SOTC, TCI, SITA, Asian Trails, Allied TPro, Australian Tours Management, Desert Adventures, Travel Circle International Limited (TCI), Sterling Holiday Resorts, Distant Frontiers, TC Tours, Digiphoto Entertainment Imaging (DEI), Go Vacation, and Private Safaris East & South Africa.

Menon’s decision to step down marks the end of an era at Thomas Cook India, with the company now looking ahead under the leadership of Mahesh Iyer as it continues to drive growth and innovation in the travel sector.