Career
Born in Galicia on 13 May 1954, he moved to the United Kingdom at the age of 11. Fontenla-Novoa started his career with Thomas Cook in the printing department in 1972 and held a variety of roles until he joined International Leisure Group in 1988. After International Leisure Group collapsed, Fontenla-Novoa cofounded tour operator Sunworld in 1991.
He joined Thomas Cook after their acquisition of Sunworld in 1996, and became its chief executive in 2003.
Fontenla-Novoa is also a director of Iberostar, a Spanish hotel chain.