New Thomas Cook chairman opens his account

A round-up of the biggest director buys today so far.

Frank Meysman has purchased shares in troubled travel company Thomas Cook, the firm he is soon to take charge of.

The Belgium national bought 100,000 shares at 39.09p each for a total of £39,090.

Meysman, 59, was recently announced as the firm's new chairman, and will take over from Michael Beckett when he retires at the end of the year.

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The businessman has most recently occupied the role of executive vice-president of food group Sara Lee. He has also held executive positions at numerous global brand companies, such as household products group Procter & Gamble, and has been a non-executive director, including chairman, of a number of public and private international companies.

When his new role was announced, Meysman said: "The group currently faces a number of significant challenges, but in the medium to longer-term we will be well positioned to build shareholder value on the back of premium brands and a fine heritage in the UK as well as internationally."

Thomas Cook, which has seen its share price fall 77.99% in the past year, recently binned its dividend after reporting that September had been a more challenging month than July and August.

Meysman's purchase marks his confidence in the firm, which has issued three profit warnings this year.

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Top Director Buys

Avanti Communications Group (AVN)

Director name: Mr David J Bestwick

Amount purchased: 20,000 @ 275.00p

Value: £55,000

Avanti Communications Group (AVN)

Director name: Mr David J Williams

Amount purchased: 18,360 @ 269.30p

Value: £49,443

Thomas Cook Group (TCG)

Director name: Mr Frank Meysman

Amount purchased: 100,000 @ 39.09p

Value: £39,090

Silence Therapeutics (SLN)

Director name: Mr Thomas Christly

Amount purchased: 1,662,162 @ 1.80p

Value: £29,919

Avanti Communications Group (AVN)

Director name: Mr F E John G Brackenbury

Amount purchased: 10,000 @ 267.12p

Value: £26,712

Hiscox Ltd. (HSX)

Director name: Ms Andrea Rosen

Amount purchased: 5,826 @ 366.56p

Value: £21,356

Silence Therapeutics (SLN)

Director name: Mr Max Herrmann

Amount purchased: 1,114,864 @ 1.80p

Value: £20,068

Hiscox Ltd. (HSX)

Director name: Mr Ernst Jansen

Amount purchased: 4,891 @ 366.56p

Value: £17,928

Mission Marketing Group (TMMG)

Director name: Mr Stephen Boyd

Amount purchased: 70,000 @ 17.00p

Value: £11,900

Personal Assets Trust (PNL)

Director name: Mr Stuart Paul

Amount purchased: 30 @ 33,680.00p

Value: £10,104

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