The luxury operator has been building a collection of Private Travel Designers, independent travel consultants who work for the company, with managing director Lisa Fitzell telling TTG in November sales through the team had grown 35%.

“We will double the number of Private Travel Designers in the next few years,” said Fitzell.

Walker joins Elegant having worked in travel for more than 25 years and has previously held roles for operators including Carrier and Lusso and brings with her a specialism for long-haul destinations including the Caribbean, Indian Ocean, south-east Asia.

Fitzell said: “With her extensive luxury travel experience [Walker] will be a real asset to the team. Now a team of seven, we are looking at growing our network of designers further this year as the appetite for luxury holidays is stronger than ever.”

Walker said she was looking forward to “strengthening new agent relationships" in her new role, "while expanding my knowledge of destinations around Europe and the rest of the world".