Not Just Travel, Advantage, Carnival: all the latest travel trade people moves

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Not Just Travel, Advantage, Carnival: all the latest travel trade people moves

Training

James Chapple

4 April 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.

TTG's weekly people moves digest is published every Wednesday

Moves this week see an experienced travel trade sales lead return to the cruise sector with a brand looking to up its UK market focus.

Elsewhere, the Advantage Travel Partnership has bolstered its senior ranks with a promotion to a new director-level position, while one of the UK and Ireland’s largest homeworking and franchising outfits has named its newest BDM.

A specialist, which took on a senior trade trade figure earlier this year, has also strengthened its team with two new hires in operations and marketing.

There have also been several high-profile departures, leaving one of travel’s largest membership organisations seeking a new chair – and a cruise line with big shoes to fill.

So here are the latest major travel trade hires, promotions and job moves over the past week (Wednesday 26 March to Wednesday 2 April).

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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Experienced sales lead returns to cruise sector

Experienced sales lead Michelle Daniels has returned to travel following her departure from A-Rosa River Cruises last year. Daniels has been appointed country manager UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand at European river cruise specialist Viva Cruises, bringing more than 20 years' cruise industry experience to her new role. She will be responsible for driving Viva's growth and development, overseeing sales, marketing and customer engagement strategies. She will also work closely with agents, operators and other industry partners to strengthen the brand's relationships with the trade. Prior to A-Rosa, Daniels has held high-profile sales and commercial roles with the likes of Light Blue Travel, which acts as American Queen Voyages and Nicko Cruises' UK GSA, Tripsmiths and Voyages to Antiquity. Viva Cruises chief executive Andrea Kruse said Daniels' appointment underscored the brand's commitment to the UK market, hailing her "invaluable expertise and passion". Daniels said she was excited to get to work growing Viva's presence in several key markets, including the UK. Founded in 2018, Viva Cruises is Swiss shipping firm Scylla's in-house operator with a fleet of nine ships sailing Europe's major rivers. It will debut new Douro itineraries onboard Porto Mirante this April, with its first boutique ship, Viva Beyond, launching next May.

Advantage hands promotion to marketing lead

The Advantage Travel Partnership head of marketing David Forder has been promoted to the role of marketing director with immediate effect. In his elevated role, Forder, who has been with the consortium for the past eight years, will focus on leading brand development and digital transformation, collaborating with Advantage's senior leadership to align the group’s plans with its vision. “As head of marketing, [David’s] innovative initiatives have been instrumental in our success, strengthening our presence across all our stakeholders, driving membership engagement and enhancing our brand positioning,” said chief executive Julia Lo Bue-Said. “He has also provided invaluable guidance to members, empowering them to elevate their marketing strategies and increase brand prominence in their communities. I am confident David's leadership will be instrumental in accelerating our ambitious plans."

Agency's brand expert joins homeworking outfit as BDM

Former Seaside Travel brand manager Richard Lowrey-Heywood has joined Not Just Travel as its newest business development manager. In his new role, Lowrey-Heywood will focus on helping Not Just Travel’s network of more than 720 homeworkers develop their businesses. “Richard’s passion and energy is infectious and he’s already a real asset to our team,” said co-founder Steve Witt, adding: “We’ve created a system that homes in on actions that directly boost sales, recruiting BDMs who instil confidence in our consultants to sell with passion and authenticity.” Prior to joining the homeworking giant, Lowrey-Heywood held a variety of roles – including a spell in Jet2's contact centre and as a rep for Thomas Cook.

Walking specialist expands ops and marketing teams

Walking holiday specialist Involved Holidays has expanded its operations and marketing teams with the additions of Hayley Sumner (right) and Emily Dixon. Sumner, who has previously worked as a travel consultant and is a former Thomas Cook rep, joins the brand as operations executive. Dixon, meanwhile, who is a former teacher, has joined as marketing executive. “Hayley brings invaluable travel experience, having worked with First Choice and Thomas Cook, and will play a key role in expanding our product portfolio,” said Involved founder and managing director Steve West. Of Dixon, he added: “Emily is already contributing fresh ideas to our marketing strategy, particularly as we broaden our offerings beyond traditional walking holidays to include 'Holidays with Walks' and specialised 'Walking for Solo Travelers'.” The appointments follow Involved's decision to hire former Newmarket Holidays trade lead Richard Forde, who joined in January after 15 years with Newmarket, as its new sales director.

Business Travel Association chair stands down

Gray Dawes Group chief executive Suzanne Horner has stood down as chair of the Business Travel Association's board after six years owing to her leadership commitments at Gray Dawes. "Suzanne has been an exceptional leader and dedicated advocate for the business travel sector throughout her nearly six-year tenure, having been appointed in 2019," said the BTA. "We extend our sincerest thanks for her unwavering support during her time as BTA Chair and wish her and all at Gray Dawes Travel the best in their future endeavours." Mervyn Williamson, who is director of Corporate Travel Management UK and the BTA's serving officer and treasurer, will succeed Horner on an interim basis until September while the BTA formally seeks a new chair. Horner said: “Being the first female chair of the BTA was both an honour and a privilege. Looking back over the past six years, I am extremely proud of how the board and I have driven an inclusive and diverse environment for all and I am confident the BTA will continue strongly going forward. With the continued growth of Gray Dawes Travel, I have chosen to fully concentrate my considerable efforts on the company."

Cruise veteran of more than 40 years bows out

Carnival Cruise Line’s senior vice-president of global sales and trade marketing, Adolfo Perez, has stepped down after 43 years with the company. Perez, who joined Carnival in 1982 as a high school student, rose through the ranks to hold roles such as UK and Ireland managing director as well as senior vice-president sales and trade marketing. In 2018, Perez was appointed to his current role, in which he is credited with strengthening the line’s relationship with travel agents and retailers. “I’ve had the privilege of holding many different roles during my career with Carnival, but these past few years working with both the sales team and the travel advisor community have been a highlight,” he said. President Christine Duffy said future plans for Carnival's sales and trade teams will be announced at a later date.