Carrier has appointed Kuoni’s commercial director, Mark Duguid, as its new managing director following Steve Kimber’s decision to retire.
Kimber will retire after six and a half years with the company, with the changes effective from April 3.
Prior to joining Carrier, Kimber was managing director of Amber Travel Partnership which owned Great Rail Journeys and also ran Cresta Holidays for 12 years.
He said: "The decision to leave Carrier has not been an easy one for me to make.
"For over six years I have been lucky enough to be leader of one of the UK’s most successful luxury tour operators, which has given me many great opportunities and rewards.
"I have decided though, that the time is now right for me to step down. I am confident that Mark is the right person to lead Carrier to continued success."
Duguid, who will be based at Carrier’s headquarters in Cheadle, Cheshire, will oversee a team of 88, including both the tour operator arm of the company, as well as Carrier Travel, its independent retail shop, based in Alderley Edge.
He said: "I am delighted to have been offered the position of managing director at such a highly respected and award-winning luxury tour operator.
"Over recent years, I have witnessed the company flourish under Steve’s leadership and look forward to continuing his work in taking this prestigious brand forward in the months and years ahead."
Carrier is a sister company to Kuoni under the Der Touristik umbrella.
At Kuoni, Wendy Kenneally will take on additional responsibility, leading the commercial and operations division to ensure that Kuoni “continues to provide its customers with carefully selected premium beach products that set it apart from the competition”.
Wendy has been with Kuoni for more than 20 years and has been director purchasing and customer experience for the past four years, overseeing purchasing, customer service and operations.
In line with Kuoni’s “continuous focus on developing its best-in-class range of worldwide holidays”, a new senior role will be created to further develop Kuoni’s specialist products, including cruise, escorted touring and weddings, and to manage Kuoni’s third party supplier relationships.
Derek Jones, managing director, Kuoni and chief executive of DER Touristik UK, said: “We wish Mark well in his new role at Carrier; it’s a fantastic opportunity for him to lead one of the most respected brands in luxury travel.
“Wendy is hugely respected in the industry and has been instrumental in leading Kuoni’s best-in-class service initiative, so this is a natural role for her to take on.
“Kuoni is famous for delivering outstanding service to customers from the minute they leave home to the minute they return. It’s an exciting time for our brand as we look to the future to further develop our product range and our service proposition.”