Walker’s remit as UK sales director has been broadened so she is responsible for all of the adults-only line’s UK trade distribution. Her expanded role includes strategy and account development to help the line continue to drive “record” growth. She will report to senior commercial advisor John Delaney.
Global training manager Day, meanwhile, has been promoted to global trade engagement senior manager, meaning he will now oversee trade engagement for Virgin Voyages across all of its markets. He will help unify travel engagement strategy across North America and international markets, the line said.
Delaney previously focused on the brand’s sales distribution in the UK, Europe and Australia, but he will now inform commercial performance across all markets.
These changes come after Virgin Voyages vice-president of international sales Shane Lewis-Riley left the line “to pursue new opportunities and challenges” in September. Lewis-Riley has since joined Titan Travel as its new trade distribution director following Hayley Morris’s move to Newmarket Holidays.
Ahead of the changes being announced Walker told TTG: “I will be talking the lead from a UK perspective and will report into John. Shane was instrumental in terms of building Virgin Voyages’ presence. We wish him well with his new adventure.”
Chief executive Nirmal Saverimuttu said: “These exciting updates to our sales organisation are designed to strengthen our footprint, support our growth and continue our international expansion.
“Thanks to this team’s dedication, we’ve seen tremendous growth and know that with this structure, the skies are the limit. As we look ahead to Wave season, we know this team will play a crucial role with our First Mate [travel agent] community and our overall success.”
Elsewhere, Matt Lebbern has been promoted to sales director, Europe and new markets, from his previous sales manager role, which he took up when he joined the company in April 2023. This year, the line launched sales in 11 additional European markets.
Reporting into Lebbern, "brilliant support executive" Ben Soane becomes sales executive, Europe and new markets.
Meanwhile, effective from 1 January, Chris Woodcock has been appointed international "brilliant support manager", and will focus on the upcoming launch of Brilliant Lady in August.
Virgin Voyages said Woodcock had been “a driving force for change” and ensuring the line is “brilliant to do business with”.
