Sarson, who is currently head of product strategy and long haul at the Burton-based river cruise and escorted tour specialist, becomes responsible for overseeing and scheduling Riviera’s river and ocean cruise itineraries, including planning new routes and developing current programmes.

Continuing to report to Robin Shaw, chief operating officer, Sarson will enter a handover period for his new role from early September, before formally taking over in November, retaining his current remit for overseeing Riviera’s long-haul product team.

Sarson has been at Riviera for the past eight years, and in his current role since 2020. He has previously been responsible for launching new initiatives such as Riviera’s solo traveller proposition and walk and discover range. Prior to this, he was head of product at Travelsphere and Just You.

As part of the move, Riviera’s capacity management team will change reporting lines from Sarson to Neil Puffett from September.

Puffett is head of aviation and transport and has worked alongside the team since he joined the business in June last year, reshaping the transport department.
 
Shaw said: "Will’s knowhow and experience means he is ideally placed to step into this critical role. He and Katja have worked closely together over the past eight years on a number of initiatives related to both river and ocean cruises, so we have every confidence this will be a seamless transition."

Sarson added: "Having worked closely with the cruise team over the past few years, I know what an amazing product we have in place."