Albert Oliver joined Villa Collective as head of operations earlier this year, bringing knowledge and expertise of the luxury sector from his time with Edge Resorts and Hush.

Oliver will lead Villa Collective’s growing team of sales and operations consultants, and tap into their "wide range of contacts" in the travel trade to grow business.

Villa Collective founder and managing director Nick Cookson said Oliver’s brief had a specific trade focus, adding the brand would welcome enquiries from agents.

The specialist has also recruited Silver Travel Advisor founder Debbie Marshall to its board, bringing relevant experience from her time as managing director of CV Villas and also after sitting on the board at The Thinking Traveller.

Marshall is also a board director at luxury specialists Bailey Robinson and Real Holidays, and is managing director of the Silver Marketing Association.

"We’re strengthening the team with the appointment of Debbie to the board and Albert as an experienced manager, whose role includes developing relationships with luxury travel agents," said Cookson.

"We welcome enquiries from agents looking for top-end European villas and outstanding service."

Cookson continued: "Having positioned ourselves successfully in our heartland of the Greek Islands, we have ambitious growth plans for the business and are expanding further afield, offering a range of Mediterranean destinations for our loyal and discerning clients."

Marshall added: "It’s a pleasure to join Nick and his team in a sector of luxury travel I am passionate about. Well over a decade ago, I worked with Nick’s parents Richard and Patricia Cookson, the original founders of CV Villas, or Corfu Villas as it was originally known, and I’m delighted their son is carrying on the family tradition with Villa Collective."