Giles takes up his new position on 21 February after previous roles across the cruise sector with Riviera Travel, Silversea and Hurtigruten.
Last month Giles marked the first anniversary of Travel Industry Recruitment Opportunities, a group he launched during the pandemic to help travel professionals back into employment.
At Ponant he will work alongside Vladislav Saveliev, Ponant’s sales manager for the south and midlands, and report to the line’s sales director for the UK, Ireland and developing markets, Nabil Maillard.
Stephen Winter will continue as international sales director for the UK and EMEA.
Ponant’s UK investment comes amid a reorganisation of the line’s EMEA sales division as it aims to be “even more attentive and close” to the trade as travel recovers post-Covid.
