Barrhead Travel has created two new director positions, including its first-ever sales director role, growing its senior leadership team to 11.

Catherine Finlan, head of sales for England and Northern Ireland, steps up to the sales director post after celebrating 30 years in the industry.

Finlan's career started on the shopfloor at West Midlands Co-operative Travel; she rose up through the ranks becoming a Thomas Cook regional sales manager in 2016 before joining Barrhead in 2019.

Paul Whitters, meanwhile, has been promoted to marketing director after six years in his role as head of marketing.

His marketing career spans almost two decades, which has seen him work for several high profile names, including Optical Express. Like Finlan, he joined Barrhead in 2019.

Finlan and Whitters's promotions come a year after Nicki Tempest-Mitchell, who was previously Barrhead's sales and marketing director, was promoted to managing director.

Tempest-Mitchell said both Finlan and Whitters had been instrumental in driving ongoing success across their respective departments. "As we look ahead to another year of growth, their leadership and expertise will be essential for our group success," said Tempest Mitchell, adding: "Their appointments also reflect our commitment to developing in-house talent and promoting from within.

"With the upcoming launch of our new brand and further retail expansion earmarked for 2026, it was the perfect time to expand our senior leadership team and create standalone positions within the sales and marketing functions.”

Finlan said: "I’m incredibly proud to be leading such a talented team during a period of growth. I plan to continue empowering our people to deliver outstanding service to our customers and I’m really looking forward to what the next 12 months holds."

Whitters added: "Travel is one of the most exciting products to market – and our upcoming brand relaunch is going to help us tell that story. I’m feeling privileged to continue my journey with Barrhead Travel as a director. Most importantly, I’ve got a fantastic team behind me who are bursting with fresh ideas and innovation to put our business at the front of customer decision-making."

The additions grow Barrhead's senior leadership team to 11, more than half of whom started their careers as travel trainees or apprentices.