Harriet Green @harrietgreen1 has unexpectedly quit as chief executive of Thomas Cook after just two years in charge of the tour operator.
Ms Green has been widely hailed for her turnaround of Thomas Cook, which was in turmoil and battling for survival when she became chief executive two years ago.
Thomas Cook is now worth almost £2bn, compared to less than £150m when Ms Green joined from Premier Farnell in 2012.
Shares in the company plummeted 20pc when markets opened on Wednesday morning as investors questioned the reasons behind her departure.
Ms Green is understood to be receiving a pay-off equivalent to six months of her salary and Frank Meysman, chairman of Thomas Cook, said her departure was a “unanimous decision” by the board during a media conference call, which was not attended by the outgoing chief executive.