Gwinnell brings nearly a decade of industry experience to her new position with the villa specialist after starting her career in travel as a member of cabin crew in 2015.

Reporting to CV business development manager Chris Etheridge, Gwinnell will work across a wide range of trade accounts, supporting CV’s agent and operator partners.

She will be tasked with driving loyalty and business growth for CV and its Above portfolio, "ensuring CV is the travel trade’s go-to villa operator in the UK market".

Gwinnell’s appointment comes after CV recorded its strongest February and March on record for trade bookings, up 12% year-on-year in March, and as it prepares to launch 40 new villas to agents this summer.

"Lucy’s experience will contribute to the overall growth strategy of the business and help it achieve further success in the growth of the trade team and the continued relationship building with the travel trade," said CV.

Etheridge said the expansion of CV’s trade team "showcases its commitment to the travel trade", coming at a "pivotal time" for the business after two successful months.

"We have lots of exciting plans for the year ahead, including a new engagement and training strategy to offer enhanced support throughout the year which we plan to launch in September 2024 as part of a wider villa campaign to push 2025 bookings."

Etheridge continued: "Also, with this expansion, 2025 will be our largest fam trip programme in history for the trade to showcase our extensive portfolio with fam trips planned for April and May plus two in October.

"We have no doubt Lucy will be a true asset to the team and we look forward to using her skills and knowledge to further enhance our trade support."

Gwinnell added she was looking forward to putting the skills she gained during her nearly nine-year career with BA to good use.

"CV Villas has such a wonderful portfolio of villas in such sought-after locations, and I am very much looking forward to joining the team and utilise my exceptional customer service skills and travel industry knowledge in order to support CV Villas’ agent and tour operator partners," she said.