Speirs takes up his new role with APT and Travelmarvel on Friday (1 March), taking over from TTG 30 Under 30 alumnus Koral Lipton, who has joined Explora Journeys.

APT and Travelmarvel said the appointment completed its new-look agent-facing sales team, its largest-ever in the UK and now featuring three BDMs.

APT’s Koral Lipton joins Explora Journeys

Speirs brings 10 years’ experience in marketing and commercial business development roles from his stint with Scottish independent Barrhead.

For the past five, he has specialised in river cruise, which APT said placed him perfectly "to build on the excellent work of his predecessor" Lipton.

"With extensive insight into the market, Gary will hit the ground running, building awareness of the luxury APT and flexible Travelmarvel brands in his territories, and helping the trade to capitalise on an exciting pipeline of new products, including MS Estrela, launching on the Douro River this summer," said APT and Travelmarvel.

Speirs will report into head of sales and business development Bred Bennetts and will be tasked with building relationships with new and existing trade partners in northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, identifying new business opportunities and managing third-party retail accounts.

The river cruise specialist said it saw "enormous" potential opportunities for new and existing partners in the region, working with APT and Travelmarvel’s river cruise, touring and yachting product, its training, campaigns and asset toolkits.

‘Legacy brand’

Bennetts said Speirs’ appointment completed the operator’s journey towards establishing its largest-ever UK sales team. "I made no secret that my ambition was also to use our investment to create the industry’s finest resource for agents. I believe we have now achieved this goal; other operators will struggle to match the quality and efficiency of our trade support.

"Friendly and proactive, Gary combines industry and sector-specific expertise with a proven track record; he stood out immediately as the right person to help us deliver this exacting standard of service to existing and new partners throughout his territories."

Speirs added: “Being a legacy brand with nearly 100 years under its belt, I always knew of APT and Travelmarvel, but as soon as I specialised in river cruises, the operator really stood out. APT is a frontrunner in the market, with fresh, in-demand experiences and I am thrilled my opportunity to join has come at such an exciting time for the brand.

"In addition to promoting this year’s stunning new river ships, the team is preparing a game-changing announcement about APT’s next fleet investments and product innovation. I cannot wait to share more details with our partners soon."