Executive management

Skills, competencies and experience:

Stuart was appointed Group Chief Customer Officer in November 2018, having been Group Marketing Director since December 2017. He joined Saga in December 2016 as Marketing Director for Saga Holidays and Cruises. Stuart has spent over 20 years in marketing including 13 years at British Airways where he was responsible for customer marketing worldwide. He went on to lead Customer Relationship Marketing & Insight for Virgin Holidays before joining bmi as Marketing, Product and eCommerce Director. Prior to Saga, Stuart worked at Barclaycard as Marketing Director, Digital Marketplace where he launched new eCommerce ventures for the bank.

Skills, competencies and experience:

Jules joined Saga in 1997 after an early career in software application development and business analysis roles. Prior to becoming Group IT Director in 2008, Jules's roles have included Head of Application Development, IT Director for the Services Division and IT Director for Travel. Jules led the IT transformation programme initiated in 2007, which included the in-sourcing of a number of critical IT services and re-platforming of enterprise applications. Alongside his primary responsibilities, Jules has fulfilled a number of strategic project and programme leadership roles in the IT, Digital and operational domains.

Skills, competencies and experience:

Gilles will shape and lead the Group’s transformation programme. With the Saga brand and its customers at the centre, he will focus on improving alignment and execution across the business, digital and marketing transformation and creating a simpler and more efficient Group. Gilles has spent the last 10 years in executive positions driving change at several companies within the Covéa Group, the largest personal lines insurance group in France. Most recently, he was Group CEO at Swinton, Covéa’s retail insurer in the UK, leading its simplification and digitalisation, with a focus on Swinton’s strong direct franchise. Before Covéa, Gilles held senior positions in marketing and strategy for the French Banking Federation and Crédit Agricole.

Skills, competencies and experience:

Robin was appointed to the role of CEO, Saga Travel in January 2018 after joining in March 2010 as CEO of its cruise division. His latest appointment has overall responsibility for all of Saga's travel businesses which include Saga Holidays, Titan Tours, Destinology and Saga Cruises including its new build program. Prior to Saga Robin spent a total of 13 years within the travel industry at Avis Europe and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines where he was latterly VP, Managing Director for UK & Ireland. Robin's early work years included qualifying as a Chartered Accountant and spending 7 years at PepsiCo International in various finance and strategic planning roles.

Skills, competencies and experience:

Jane joined Saga in October 2019 as Chief People Officer. Jane is responsible for developing and leading our People and Culture Strategy that enables us to serve the unique needs of our customers. Prior to Saga, Jane was the CPO at Connect Group plc, after 19 years at Tesco plc gaining international experience in senior HR operational and group capability roles. Jane started her career as a HR Graduate with Prudential plc.

Skills, competencies and experience:

Helen was appointed Chief Risk and Compliance Officer in 2018, having joined Saga in 2009 as Group Head of Internal Audit. Helen leads the second line of defence assurance functions for the Saga Group, and advises the board on risk and regulatory matters. Prior to Saga, Helen was a Head of Internal Audit within Barclays’ Global Retail and Commercial Banking division, after spending her early career within the Bank of England’s internal audit function. Helen graduated from Oxford University in 1998 and is a Chartered Accountant.