Stimpson has been appointed group sales and distribution director at STA.

She will join the youth specialist agency’s leadership team in November.

In her new role, Stimpson will take responsibility for delivering sales and revenue growth targets enshrined in STA’s group strategy.

STA’s country managers and director of global partners will report to Stimpson and collaborate with her on other sales activities.

“This is a very exciting time for the STA Travel group and I’m very keen to get started,” said Stimpson. “I’m looking forward to meeting with country managers and other key stakeholders in the coming weeks.”

Stimpson will be based in London and will report to chief executive Ivan Walter, who was appointed earlier this year.

She started her career at First Choice before progressing through Tui’s distribution operations. She joined Cook in 2016.

Torey Kings-Hodkin, meanwhile, will take over from Stimpson and resume her role as Cook’s head of retail south from 1 November, reporting to UK retail director Kathryn Darbandi.

Kings-Hodkin had been on secondment to Cook’s commercial team, most recently covering for Kelly Cookes as head of commercial partnerships and sales planning while Cookes was on maternity leave.

Cookes was appointed to the role in July following six years with Freedom Travel Group. She assumed the position at the start of August upon her return from maternity leave.

Matt Harding, who had been heading up Freedom in Cookes absence, will continue in the role, reporting to Phil Gardner.

“We all wish Sam Stimpson well in her new role with STA," said a Cook spokesperson.