G Adventures recruits Nick Hughes to new UK role

G Adventures has appointed Nick Hughes to a newly created director of growth role. Hughes will be responsible for shaping G Adventures' UK business strategy, driving growth and overseeing the brand's sales and marketing teams. The operator said Hughes would bring "a wealth of experience in business and commercial strategy, people development and partner relationships" to his new post. It comes after Hughes left Scenic and Emerald Luxury Cruises in December 2024 where he was director of sales, partnerships and strategic growth. Prior to Scenic and Emerald, Hughes worked for Princess Cruises, dnata's B2B brands including Gold Medal and Travel 2, and Attraction World.

"Nick’s experience in driving strategic transformation will play a pivotal role in helping us to better support and grow our agency partnerships across the UK, supported by our newly expanded outside sales team," said G Adventures managing director EMEA Brian Young. He added: "He’s joining G Adventures at an exciting time following a record-breaking first quarter, with a huge growth opportunity in the UK market." Hughes, meanwhile, said he felt "incredibly proud" to be joining G Adventures. "[G Adventures] has long been a trailblazer through its commitment to responsible travel and its industry-leading community tourism initiatives," he said. "It’s an incredibly exciting time for the adventure and touring sector, as demand for small-group travel continues to rise."

Fred Holidays appoints dedicated BDM for the Midlands

Fred Holidays has appointed Rachel Wood to a newly created business development manager role supporting agents in the Midlands. Wood joins from Premier Holidays where she was the operator's BDM for the north of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and will take up her new position on 6 May. She has previously held roles with Classic Collection, Freedom Travel Group and Carnival UK. Wood will be tasked with raising awareness of Fred's cruise and stay offering among agents, liaising with the business development team to grow business with existing trade partners, and expanding the operator's distribution. She will report into head of business development Laura Wilson. Wood said she was looking forward to joining Fred Holidays during "an exciting time of growth" and introducing new agents to the brand and its cruise and land-based product. Tricia Birmingham, Fred Holidays director of tour operations, said Wood was a highly respected asset with years of experience in cruise and tour operating. "She is a perfect fit for our business... as we target strategic growth and aim to become one of the leading operators in the industry."

Premier Holidays restructures trade team follow Wood departure

Premier Holidays has restructured its trade team following the departure, after 14 months, of business development manager Rachel Wood. The operator has created a new three-territory structure for its sales team with three BDMs, covering the south, the east and the west. Premier said Wood would work with sales and marketing director Debbie Goffin to ensure a seamless transition. Hayley Smith (top right) becomes Premier's southern BDM, bringing more than 20 years' industry experience with the likes of Serenity Holidays, Carnival UK and P&O Cruises. Louisa Smith (bottom right), meanwhile, joins Premier from Blue Diamond Resorts as the operator's BDM for the east, with the operator praising her experience in high-end travel and her strategic approach to account management. Finally, Rachel Small (left) becomes Premier's BDM for the west; she has previous industry experience with MSC Cruises, Virgin Atlantic Holidays and Marriott Hotels & Resorts. "This new trade team is all about supporting our agent partners and keeping Premier Holidays top of mind for the Channel Islands and our long-haul tailor-made destinations," said Goffin, who added the brand remained "100% committed" to the trade.

APT and Travelmarvel takes on new Midlands BDM

Jess Tansey is poised to join APT and Travelmarvel as its new business development manager for the Midlands, and will take up her new role on Monday (14 April). Tansey joins from Scenic Group, where for the past two-and-a-half years she has worked as a trade support specialist across the group's Scenic and Emerald Cruises brands. APT and Travelmarvel said Tansey was "perfectly positioned" to drive its trade strategy forward in central England and ramp up support for agents partners. Head of sales and business development Brad Bennetts said Tansey's experience and passion for river cruising made her "the perfect choice" to lead APT and Travelmarvel's trade activity int he Midlands with a vast slate of new "product innovations" coming to market. Tansey added she was excited to get started and help agents "harness every business opportunity" APT and Travelmarvel's fleet and travel styles have to offer.

Cox & Kings targeting 'significant expansion' under new MD

Cox & Kings has named Jennifer Charlton as its new managing director, with the brand poised to embark on "a significant phase of global expansion" following its 2019 acquisition by Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group (AKTG). Charlton brings more than 30 years of travel industry experience to her new, elevated role, having held leadership roles in sales, business development and partnerships with the likes of KLM, CWT and Amex GBT. She will continue to serve as C&K's senior vice-president sales and business development, UK and EMEA. AKTG said Charlton's proven track record in business transformation and global rollouts ensured she was "exceptionally well-suited" to leading Cox & Kings into a new chapter. "I am eager to introduce Cox & Kings to new markets and showcase our unique approach to travel," said Charlton.

New role for Sarah Wikevand at ROL Cruise

Sarah Wikevand (left) will take up a new chief commercial officer role with ROL Cruise, the first change orchestrated by new chief executive Rosie Cairns (right) following the agency's transition to employee ownership. Wikevand and Cairns had previously worked together as joint managing directors. Cairns said Wikevand's two decades' experience with the business, proven track record and clear vision for the future made her the obvious candidate for the role. "Sarah and I have worked closely together for many years," said Cairns. "Her deep understanding of the business, combined with her commercial insight makes her perfectly placed to lead this area." Colchester-based ROL, which is now 51% employee owned, employs more than 130 people, who now all hold a stake in the business.

Hays homeworking chief named SPAA vice-president

Hays Travel's Tanya Cooper, who heads up the agency's homeworking operations, has been appointed the Scottish Passenger Agents' Association's (SPAA) next vice-president. Cooper will succeed Glen Travel owner Alan Glen at the end of the year when he takes over as SPAA president from Barrhead Travel president Jacqueline Dobson following her two-year term. The SPAA said Cooper's two-decade travel industry career and her strong focus on developing and supporting talent would ensure she brings a wealth of leadership experience and insight to the post. "I look forward to working closely with colleagues and partners to help shape the future of our industry," said Cooper. "Supporting and developing travel professionals is a real passion of mine, and I’m excited to bring that focus to this new role."

Line's new sales chief makes promise to trade

Small-ship cruise line Azamara has appointed David Siewers as its new international chief sales officer. Siewers will take up his new role from 22 May, overseeing all markets outside North America. Siewers is an ex-Celebrity Cruises sales director covering the US north-east, during which time he was responsible for more than 700 agency relationships, which included liaising with both head office accounts and regional sales teams. Azamara said Siewers was credited with playing an instrumental role in helping Celebrity "rebuild momentum" post-pandemic, and would ensure "continued success for travel partners and guests in key international markets". David Duff, Azamara managing director UK and EMEA, is among a handful of Azamara executives who will report into Siewers. Dondra Ritzenthaler, Azamara's chief executive, hailed Siewers "an exciting addition" to Azamara's leadership team who would help increase the line's global presence through "strategic alliances with agents" in "key international markets". Siewers added he was looking forward to strengthening Azamara's existing relationships with the agents and finding new opportunities with "valuable trade partners" around the world.

Barter's Travelnet chief elected ITAA president

Tom Randles, managing director of Cork agency Barter's Travelnet, which was named TTG Top 50 Top Agency Republic of Ireland in 2023, has been elected the new president of the Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA). Randles, a qualified chartered accountant, joined Barter's as financial controller in 1996 and by 2012 had worked his way up to managing director. He completed a successful takeover of the business in March 2023, at which time he also became an ITAA board member. Randles said he was honoured to become the ITAA's 24th president and was ready to help Irish agents rise to future challenges following the "extraordinary" pace of change in the industry. ITAA chief executive Clare Dunne added the association's board was "well-equipped to navigate the opportunities and challenges ahead" and improve the "long-term resilience" of Ireland's travel industry. Dunne said focuses would be training and upskilling initiatives, new technology, stronger partnerships and sustainability.