Dunfermline-based Matt Hands took up his new role on Monday (8 August) and will oversee sales for the agency’s Scottish retail network.

Hands, who has more than two decades experience working in retail travel and more than 10 years as a store manager with Barrhead, will reporting into head of sales Scotland, Linda Armit.

He returns to Barrhead following a period working for a retail optician before rejoining the travel sector as store manager for Hays Travel’s Gyle branch prior to the pandemic.

During his previous time with Barrhead, Hands was twice named as the company’s employee of the month.

Nicki Tempest-Mitchell, Barrhead’s sales and marketing director, said: “It’s been a busy summer as travel recovers and demand for reputable high street travel agents is on the rise.

“Matt’s extensive retail travel experience combined with his laser-focus on delivering exceptional customer service is a great fit as we aim for sustainable growth over the coming year.”

Hands said: “Reconnecting with so many former colleagues has been amazing and I’m looking forward to getting involved with some really interesting projects.”