Chris Richmond was previously reservations manager for Amathus, the group’s Greece and Cyprus specialist operator, and has also spent time managing its Bedbank.com team.

Prior to joining Vertical in October 2021, Richmond, who has more than 25 years of industry experience, worked in corporate travel at CWT for six years and had a short stint as call centre manager for Biblio Travel. 

In his new role, Richmond will be tasked with growing relationships with Vertical’s hotelier partners and network of more than 200 homeworkers.

He will also focus on strengthening the group’s trade sales divisions – which includes the relaunch of VillasforTravel product featuring “hundreds” of online bookable villas across the Mediterranean and Florida.

“This is a great appointment for the group, Chris has been a team leader with us for a while now, his extensive experience in providing high levels of customer service show the way forward,” said Vertical Group chief executive Peter Healey.

“Having recently represented Bedbank.com at trade shows and conferences, Chris is already known to many of our sales agents and team members. He is empowered to expand his team to provide even greater levels of service especially with the exciting relaunch of our VillasforTravel product coming shortly which is a huge opportunity for our own sales agents and third-party clients. 

“These are busy and challenging times. I am confident Chris and his team will be a tremendous support to everyone selling our products and services," added Healey.

Richmond said: “Working within the Vertical family has been amazing so far, we have such brilliant people across our businesses, and it has been such a pleasure getting to know everyone and being made to feel so welcome. I am appreciative of the support given and I look forward to being able to give that support back as much as possible.”