Rodgers will bring 20 years’ travel industry experience spanning the retail and homeworking agency sectors, as well as tour operating, to her new role, which she will take up on 2 January.

Starting out in retail, Rodgers managed Kuoni’s store in Manchester’s Trafford Centre for four-and-a-half years before account management spells with KLM and Riviera Travel.

She went on to oversee retail and training for homeworking agency the Personal Travel Advisors before joining Classic Collection around 18 months ago as RSM for the north of England and Scotland.

In her new role, Rodgers will be tasked with growing A-Rosa’s presence and sales in the north of England, Scotland and Ireland, providing on-the-road and virtual support to agents.

She will be responsible for implementing sales strategy, developing marketing campaigns and providing product training to ensure agents are up-to-date on all the latest developments and products from A-Rosa.

Lucia Rowe, A-Rosa River Cruises managing director UK and Ireland, said: “We are really excited to welcome Emma into our small, but mighty team. Having worked both on the agent and operator side, she brings with her a real understanding of how to get the very best results from everyone involved in the sales process.

"She joins at an exciting time as our two new ships join the fleet in April and we can’t wait for her to get out and about to meet everyone."

Rodgers added: "I am absolutely thrilled to be back in river cruise, a sector that I am truly passionate about. I’m really looking forward to working closely with all of A-Rosa’s trade partners to help further grow this fantastic brand that has so much to shout about."

Classic Collection has started recruiting for a new RSM to cover the north east of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.