Riviera, Hurtigruten, G Adventures: all the latest travel trade people moves

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Riviera, Hurtigruten, G Adventures: all the latest travel trade people moves

Training

James Chapple

5 February 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.

Among this week’s moves is a return to the UK for Debra Fox, who will take on an expanded managing director role at Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group, which will now span the UK and the group’s APAC market.

Another stepping into an expanded role is TTG 30 Under 30 alumnus Iain Powell, whose interim oversight for Hurtigruten’s Nordics region has been made permanent.

Elsewhere, G Adventures has acted on increased demand for its products from Midlands agents with the appointment of a dedicated agent contact in the region – its first there since 2019.

Meanwhile, former Tui commercial and business development director Richard Sofer has a new role, while Riviera Travel has shaken up its product team with several appointments.

So here are the latest major travel trade hires, promotions and job moves over the past week (Wednesday 29 January to Wednesday 5 February).

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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A&K Travel Group names new UK managing director

Debra Fox has been named the new managing director of Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group, UK and APAC. Melbourne-based Fox, who has since 2022 served as managing director for AKTG's APAC region, will return to the UK to take up her expanded role, where she is tasked with driving growth. AKTG said Fox would bring a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success to her new post, which includes helping the group navigate travel's emergence from the pandemic. "Debra’s deep understanding of both the UK and APAC markets, coupled with her exceptional leadership skills, makes her the ideal candidate to drive our growth and expansion strategies in these key regions," said AKTG chief executive Cristina Levis. AKTG said Fox's extensive knowledge of the travel landscape and trade, as well as the APAC market, would allow her to foster collaboration across the UK and APAC. She previously spent nearly 17 years with APT Travel Group, and four-and-a-half years with The Inspire Collective. "I am honoured to take on this expanded role and excited to lead the talented teams in both the UK and APAC," said Fox. "I look forward to leveraging my experience and insights to further strengthen AKTG's position as a global leader in luxury travel."

New top job for TTG 30 Under 30 alumnus

Hurtigruten promotes Iain Powell to chief commercial officer

Hurtigruten has promoted Iain Powell to the role of managing director UK, Nordics and emerging markets. Powell, who was a member of the TTG 30 Under 30 Class of 2016, took responsibility for the Nordic market on an interim basis last September, and this has now been made permanent as part of a new, expanded brief with the Norwegian firm. He will continue to report into interim chief commercial officer Chris Roe, and will lead on strategic growth of B2B business and efforts to bolster Hurtigruten's market presence. Powell said it had been a privilege to assume responsibility for Hurtigruten's home market last year, and an "exciting challenge". "I’m fortunate to work alongside an exceptionally talented team whose expertise and passion will be instrumental in driving our continued success," he added. Powell joined the line this time last year following the departure of Anthony Daniels, Hurtigruten UK and EMEA vice-president, sales and marketing, who has since joined Ponant.

Ex-Tui commercial chief joins Center Parcs

Former Tui exec Richard Sofer has joined Center Parcs as chief commercial officer, succeeding chief sales and marketing officer Colin Whaley, who is retiring after 20 years in leadership roles with the operator. Sofer, who left Tui in September 2023 after seven years latterly as Tui UK and Ireland’s commercial and business development director, joined Center Parcs on 13 January. Whaley's departure has seen Center Parcs split his responsibilities between two board-level roles, with Sara Holt poised to assume the role of chief marketing officer on 17 March. Holt joins from Merlin Entertainments, where she was UK and Europe group sales and marketing director.

Riviera Travel sharpens focus on long-haul and specialist product

Riviera Travel has made several new appointments as part of a shake-up of its product team, designed to strengthen its focus on long-haul product and solo traveller range. Christian Locke (pictured right) has joined as the operator and river line's new head of long-haul, bringing 30 years' industry experience to the role. Locke will manage the long-haul team at Riviera, which also includes Kieran Aldridge, who joined as Riviera's long-haul product manager last month. Riviera's product director Will Sarson said Locke's leadership would propel its offering "to new heights". Elsewhere, following a handover with Aldridge, Linda Harris will take up a new role with Riviera as senior specialist product manager, focusing on expanding and enhancing its solo traveller range following "significant" recent growth in demand. Julie Dent (pictured left), meanwhile, joins Riviera as its new quality manager, bringing 20 years' experience in similar roles. She will be tasked with helping improve Riviera's Net Promoter Score. Lucy Clark, Riviera's in-house health and safety expert, will report into Dent. “We're delighted to welcome such a talented group of people to the Riviera Travel family,” Sarson added.

G Adventures hires dedicated point of contact for Midlands agents

Agents in the Midlands can start looking out for a new face representing G Adventures in the region following an increase in demand from agents. Joe Swatland becomes G's first dedicated global purpose specialist (GPS) for the Midlands since 2019. Swatland started his career in travel with STA Travel, where he broke records for sales of G Adventures. He went on to take up a sales coach role with The Adventure People before joining G. His background is in catering, and has worked in a wide variety of chef roles – at The Savoy in London, at Michelin-starred restaurants in New Zealand and onboard Disney Cruise Line ships in the US. He has also travelled widely in Asia, Europe and the US. Stu Darnley, G's national sales manager, said Swatland's "extensive knowledge" of the operator's tours and values would allow him to hit the ground running. He will focus on agents in several "key counties", including Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Nottinghamshire and Northamptonshire. "He’ll offer support in marketing, product and sales and will meet the demand we are seeing from agents to increase their knowledge face-to-face," Darnley added. Swatland said: "Being part of an organisation that does so much in the way of community tourism is so exciting for me. I have sold G Adventures tours for a number of years and I can’t wait to share my knowledge and enthusiasm with agents across the region in this role."

Tina Hodge returns to travel

Former Gold Medal national account manager Tina Hodge has returned to travel as head of sales at Discover Qatar and Qatar Airways Holidays. Hodge joins Qatar following a near three-year spell away from travel. Her more than 20-year career in the industry also includes stints with Airtours, Thomas Cook, Emirates Holidays and Biblio Travel. Hodge said she looked forward to helping Qatar's tourism sector "develop and flourish".

Pata adds five to UK and Ireland committee

The Pacific Asia Travel Association UK and Ireland has made five additions to its committee. They are: Jonathan Goldsmith (top left), head of product sales at cazenove+loyd; John Parker (bottom left), product manager at Premier Holidays; Gavin Dixon (bottom right), product manager at Freedom Destinations; Fiona Scott-Evans, product and contract manager at British Airways Holidays; and Tom Masson (top right), sales manager at Air New Zealand. Chris Crampton, who chair's Pata's UK chapter, said each of the five new members and their employers brought a wealth of industry experience and knowledge. "Their individual insight, from trade sales and luxury to tailor-made travel and consumer trends, will be invaluable. Their addition broadens the scope of Pata’s knowledge and ability to provide our members and travel agent network with the most productive events and training options based on real-time market and industry trends.”

Specialist brand hires new trade exec for Scotland and Northern Ireland

Specialist brands Canadian Affair and American Affair have appointed Lucy Park as their new travel trade executive, effective immediately. In her new role, Park will focus on supporting agents in Scotland and Northern Ireland. “Canada and America are destinations I love and I cannot wait to share these respected brands, products and offers with our trade partners,” she added. Prior to joining Canadian Affair and American Affair, Park has worked at the likes of Virgin Holidays and Dawson & Sanderson.