Paul Hollingworth has been unveiled as the new group chief financial officer at travel group Thomas Cook. Taking up the role from January next year, Hollingworth replaces Juergen Bueser who stepped down from the position yesterday following a period of ill health. Thomas Cook said: 'We are delighted to confirm, however, that Juergen has recovered well and is returning to the business to take up the role of group strategy director.' Ludger Heuberg, who has been standing in as interim CFO since March 2009, will stay in the role until 31 December to ensure a smooth handover to Hollingworth, but will then return to his operational role. Hollingworth's career has seen him hold roles including CFO of packaging group Mondi, group finance director of gypsum manufacturer BPB, and also FD of banknote producer De La Rue and engineering group Ransomes. He is currently a non-executive director and chairman of the audit committee at Electrocomponents. The board has also appointed Peter Middleton as an independent NED. Chairman of Thomas Cook Michael Beckett said the appointments will 'further strengthen the board in the next phase of our development as a fully independent listed company'.