Etheridge will provide tailored support for new and existing agent and tour operator partners.

He will also take on responsibility for CV’s trade sales, incentives and campaigns, reporting to sales and operations manager Louise Wade.

Etheridge joins from SLC Representation, where he held several trade roles – most recently sales and marketing manager.

He has also set up a new CV Villas Facebook group for agents, which will offer weekly promotions for use on social media, as well as booking incentives and more.

“I’m delighted to have the opportunity to support the trade in confidently selling our gorgeous villas," said Etheridge.

"These types of getaways have been least affected by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, and we expect their popularity to continue to rise.

"Many of our properties are exclusive to CV Villas and can be packaged up with flights and car hire, which gives agents total peace of mind when booking with us."

He added: "Our ABOVE portfolio of luxurious, fully-staffed villas and seasonal charter flights from Gatwick to Corfu throughout the summer months are just a few of CV Villas’ unique offering to the travel trade."

CV managing director Tristan Symondson added: “We couldn’t be happier with Chris’ appointment. We so greatly value our trade partners which is why we felt it really important to invest in the relationship in this way, in spite of the difficult times the travel industry is going through.

"We’re confident that villas will be even more popular this year, and that the villa market will recover before other holiday types. Chris has fantastic experience, and we look forward to working even more closely with the trade to help us achieve our growth goals.”