Gadd, who has managed Hays Travel’s Weymouth store since January 2019, will join the line’s ranks as a partnerships development manager.

She confirmed the move in a post to LinkedIn at the weekend. "I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Partnerships Development Manager at P&O Cruises," she wrote.

Jane Schumm, Hays Travel’s retail director, said: “We are delighted for Hayley and thank her for all her hard work over her time with Hays Travel. We wish her every success in her new role, where we are sure she will be just as excellent as she was with us.”

TTG has also approached P&O Cruises for further comment.

Gadd started her career in travel 25 years ago as a Lunn Poly apprentice before going on to work in a series of retail positions with First Choice and later Tui in the South West. She joined Hays in 2018, managing its Bridport store, before taking the reins in Weymouth less than a year later.

During her first four years as manager, the Weymouth store doubled in size – growing from five members of staff to 10 – and more than doubled its turnover.

The branch made the TTG Top 50 in 2018 and was named Top Agency in the South West at TTG Top 50 Travel Agencies in 2019 and 2021. It was Hays Travel’s best-performing store in the south in 2023, and re-entered the TTG Top 50 earlier this year.

Gadd, meanwhile, was named Manager of the Year at the 2023 Travel Industry Awards by TTG, and later gave an insightful and personal interview to TTG charting her journey and career, offering insight, encouragement and reassurance for travel industry professionals finding themselves moving into management roles.

Among those to congratulate Gadd on her new role were P&O Cruises sales director Ruth Venn and easyJet holidays head of trade distribution Natasha Marson, as well as a number of Hays Travel colleagues.