Forde takes over from former Gold Medal sales director Nick Hughes, who held the post for three years. It comes after Hughes quit Gold Medal to join Princess Cruises as UK and Europe sales director last month.
Newmarket joined Tipto in 2010, with Forde an active contributor to its activities with the organisation throughout. Forde started his near 25-year career in travel as a photographer with Royal Caribbean aged 21. He has since held posts with Reader Offers, Travelscope and Mistral Holidays, before joining Newmarket 13 years ago.
"When Newmarket Holidays joined Tipto in 2010, we grew in stature with the trade and our agent partners year after year thereafter," said Forde.
"Tipto is a great body for both agents and suppliers to learn and grow together, share new products, trends and market information. I am delighted and honoured to be taking over from the strong work Nick has done and to continue to assist Lorna [Willis-Edwards] as she expands Tipto with more members and more events.”
Willis-Edwards, founder and director of Tipto management company Spirit Marketing and Events, said she was looking forward to working with Forde to ensure 2023 is an "exciting year of growth" for Tipto.
She also paid tribute to Hughes for his "immense support" and commitment of time, which she said proved "instrumental" in keeping Tipto going during and after the pandemic in 2020. "We’re eternally grateful," she said.
Tipto has just welcomed its 18th member, Blue Diamond Resorts, with a further two operators due to join in 2023.
