Mottershead will work on the merger of TUI’s Canadian division with rival operator Sunwing, which was announced last month.
It is believed Mottershead will take another role within TUI in Canada once the integration is completed.
He will join TUI Canada on 1 January, the day his non-compete clause with Travelzest expires.
In a statement, TUI Travel said: ‘Following a review of our Canadian business we recently announced a strategic venture (which is subject to regulatory clearance) with Sunwing.
‘The venture will combine our Canadian operations with Sunwing’s and will be led by Stephen Hunter, currently chief executive officer of Sunwing.
‘Chris will be interim chief financial officer and integration director of the new enlarged Sunwing business, reporting into Stephen Hunter.’
The announcement ends a year of speculation about whether Mottershead – who was managing director of TUI UK for two and a half years, before leaving in 2004 – would return to the operator.
There had been reports that TUI Travel had tried to acquire Travelzest last year, but the deal fell through 48 hours before it was due to be signed.
In April, it was reported Mottershead and Travelzest group finance director Colin McKinlay had resigned to join TUI’s Canadian operation.
However, Travelzest denied it had received their resignations. A week later, Mottershead was suspended for alleged ‘potential misappropriation of company funds’, and, two weeks after that, it was announced McKinlay was to stand down.
In May Mottershead issued defamation proceedings against Travelzest, and in June stood down as chief executive, after reaching a settlement with the company.
At that time, his law firm Schillings issued a statement, saying: ‘The company’s investigation into the allegation of a potential misappropriation of funds has been concluded and his suspension lifted.’
It added that all matters between Mottershead and Travelzest had ‘been satisfactorily resolved’ and that any allegations had been ‘found to be unsubstantiated and all monies accounted for’.
Background from e-tid.com:
Lates boost TUI Travel as it unveils warchest (29/09/2009)
Mottershead stands down as Travelzest chief exec (23/06/2009)
Mottershead moves to protect reputation (21/05/2009)
Travelzest suspends Mottershead (27/04/2009)
Travelzest talks terminated (12/11/2008)
Airtours’ Mottershead teams up with Rothwell at TUI UK (15/11/2001)