Hicks revealed last week that he would be leaving his position on March 20, after four and a half years with the business, although he said he would continue to “support and undertake some special projects” for Wendy Wu until April 20.

Hicks said in a statement that the time was right for him to leave the operator: “The business is about to go live with its new online booking system and over the coming months there will be a transition to a completely new way of working and engaging with our customers and commercial partners,” he said.

“With all that in mind, having brought the traditional business to this point, I have decided that the transition to a new-style, new-look e-commerce business requires different leadership with different skill sets and experience.”

Speaking to TTG this week, Hicks said: “The business needs a different pair of hands – there are a lot of things on the horizon and the business will need someone with more of a tech background.

“There’s a lot happening, with their [Wendy Wu’s] three-year growth Drap plan [double revenue and profit], which the global business has been working towards. I’ve doubled the business here and delivered a substantial increase in Ebitda [earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation] – it’s good to go out on a high.”

He added: “Wendy [Wu] and I have a very good relationship and will remain very good friends.”

Hicks insisted that he would remain in the sector after leaving the business.

“I’ll be back. I won’t be sitting idle for the next five years – it’s not in my blood,” he said. “I definitely will remain in travel – there are other things on the horizon.”

He said he was not able to disclose what these “things” were, but said more details would be revealed soon.