Iain Baillie, Celebrity Cruises, Corendon Airlines: all the latest travel trade people moves

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Iain Baillie, Celebrity Cruises, Corendon Airlines: all the latest travel trade people moves

Training

Ilaria Grasso Macola

14 May 2025

TTG’s weekly round-up of the latest appointments, promotions, restructurings and farewells from across the trade is the definitive digest of the travel trade people moves you need to know about.

Moves this week include two promotions and three new appointments

Moves this week include Celebrity Cruises promoting regional sales manager Christopher Barker to UK and Ireland field sales manager, and Windstar Cruises appointing former Explora Journeys head of global sales excellence Helen Beck to the newly created role of managing director – global commercial.

Meanwhile, veteran aviation executive Paul Schwaiger has joined Corendon Airlines as its new chief commercial officer.

Elsewhere, amalgamated operator Touchdown has promoted head of cruise Robbie White to head of commercial, while marketing agency Travel Promoters has hired former Travel Hub Collection head of partnerships Laura Dale.

So here are the latest major travel trade hires, promotions and job moves over the past few weeks (Wednesday 7 May to Wednesday 14 May).

Have you recently made a new appointment or taken on a new role? Do you have some personnel news for us from your business or organisation? Drop us an email at feedback@ttgmedia.com

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Iain Baillie joins Cunard to lead UK and EMEA sales team

Carnival Cruise Line former vice-president of international sales Iain Baillie is set to join Cunard in early June to lead the line's UK and EMEA sales team. In this newly created role, Baillie will report to EMEA sales and global marketing vice-president David Jones, and will be tasked with driving Cunard's commercial performance by working closely with travel agents. Commenting on the appointment, Baillie said: “I remain firmly committed to supporting our travel partners with the commercial tools, high-quality service, and collaboration they need to drive continued mutual success.” Meanwhile Jones added: “Cunard is a truly iconic brand and I know he will relish the opportunity to tell our unique story, highlighting our world famous service and on board offering to agents across the region.” Baillie's appointment comes after Cunard's sister brand, Carnival Cruise Line, announced the UK team's closure on Monday (12 May).

Corendon Airlines hires new chief commercial officer

Veteran airline executive Paul Schwaiger has become Corendon Airlines's new chief commercial officer following the departure of Mine Aslan. Schwaiger, who has held leadership roles at the likes of Lufthansa, SunExpress and Condor, joined the airline in 2024 as a strategic advisor, working with the leadership team to deliver commercial and structural improvements. “It is both an honour and a challenge to work with the professional team at Corendon Airlines to ensure a safe and profitable future,” said Schwaiger. “With our Turkish and European operating licences, we serve key leisure destinations across Turkey and Europe, working with passion to deliver memorable holidays to our customers.”

Celebrity Cruises promotes Christopher Barker to field sales manager

Celebrity Cruises has promoted regional sales manager Christopher Barker to the role of field sales manager for the UK and Ireland, effective immediately. Barker, who joined the cruise line in July 2023 to look over Northern Ireland and central England, wrote on LinkedIn: “I am truly so grateful to be surrounded by so many amazing people that have supported me in my journey so far. From friends and family to my amazing colleagues and trade partners I get to work alongside, thank you, thank you, thank you!” Prior to joining Celebrity, Barker has held several relevant positions in the travel industry – including international reservations manager and sales manager at Riviera Travel.

Cruise veteran joins another small-ship line

Former Explora Journeys head of global sales excellence Helen Beck has joined Windstar Cruises as the small-ship line’s new managing director – global commercial. In the newly created role, Beck will focus on expanding Windstar’s presence in Europe, Australia and Latin America while developing its global sales and distribution strategy. An industry veteran with more than 40 years’ travel and tourism experience, Beck will also set up Windstar’s global entities, working with the line’s IT and marketing teams to launch new global websites and booking engines. Prior to joining Windstar, Beck has held relevant roles at the likes of Explora Journeys, Crystal Cruises and Royal Caribbean Cruises. “I would have been at Explora Journeys for four years on 17 May so it was just timing,” she told TTG. “To have that opportunity to come into an established business which has been around for 40 years and build on what Gus has done and take it onto the next level was too good to turn down. What is there not to love?”

Touchdown's Robbie White handed promotion

Twickenham-based amalgamated operator Touchdown has promoted head of cruise Robbie White to head of commercial, effective immediately. White, who joined the US-headquartered business in July 2018, will continue to report to managing director Nigel Smithson. Founded in 1989 by aviation professionals, Touchdown sells holidays solely to travel agents and other industry professionals.

Travel Hub Collection's Laura Dale joins travel marketing agency

Travel marketing agency Travel Promoters has appointed Laura Dale as its newest account manager, effective end of May. Dale joins the agency following a two-year stint as head of partnerships at the Travel Hub Collection and, prior to that, she was a senior product executive at Audley Travel for almost four years. “I was delighted when Laura applied for this role within our team, as I know she will be a much-valued asset for all our clients in Africa and the Indian Ocean islands,” said founder Ailsa Tavares. As a result of Dale’s appointment, Tracey Holmes-Carter, who joined the company in September last year, will take up the role of marketing manager.