John Docherty joins Wendy Wu Tours from easyJet holidays and will look after agents in Scotland, while Demi Johnson arrives from Trailfinders and will manage agent relationships in the north. The operator said the appointments follow "exceptional" year-on-year sales growth of more than a third across both regions.
"Sales in the north and Scotland have rocketed +35% year-on-year, outpacing the national average and reinforcing these territories as two of the strongest-performing markets in the company’s history," said Wendy Wu Tours.
The operator said with Docherty and Johnson's appointments, it was "doubling down on its commitment to on-the-ground engagement, deeper partnerships and laser-focused regional campaigns".
Docherty is a household name among agents in Scotland, bringing frontline experience supporting agents during spells with Princess Cruises, G Touring and most recently, easyJet holidays. Docherty said he had been impressed by Wendy Wu's portfolio. "With the [Wendy Wu] product range expanding into new destinations, the potential here is huge," he said.
“My priority is to make sure every agent in Scotland knows they have a dedicated BDM at the end of a phone or email. I aim to meet all of them within my first few months — to understand what support they need and how I can help them grow their knowledge, confidence and sales with Wendy Wu.
"I think many agents will be surprised by just how broad the Wendy Wu portfolio is — not just China and Japan, but South Africa, South America, Europe and more. There's an enormous opportunity for repeat business."
Johnson, meanwhile, has risen up through the ranks at Trailfinders of the past six-and-a-half years to the role of sales team leader and trainer, overseeing new recruits as they go through the brand's intensive five-week training programme.
She has travelled twice with Wendy Wu Tours over the past year to Japan and China, which the operator said gave her "rare dual-destination expertise" which she will channel into agent training, confidence and conversion.
"My enthusiasm for the brand is huge and I can’t wait to share that passion and product knowledge with agents across the north," said Johnson. "Coming from a retail background, I understand what agents need from a BDM — and the challenges they face. My training experience will be key in educating and supporting agents so they feel fully confident recommending Wendy Wu Tours to their customers.”
'The most significant regional trade investment in our history'
The appointments complete the second phase of the operator's regionalisation strategy, which started with the creation of its first-ever national account manager role earlier this year to which Sandra Foreman was promoted. Dedicated teams are now in place across the north, Scotland and Ireland, and Wendy Wu Tours, by the end of the year, will have hosted more than 200 agents on fam trips.
Gary King, Wendy Wu Tours head of trade sales, added: “This is the most significant regional trade investment in our history. Demand across the north and Scotland is exploding, and these new roles are designed to match that momentum step for step — with more visits, more training, more events, and more time spent with agents than ever before.
"Demi and John bring energy, experience, and exceptional frontline understanding. They are exactly the kind of people agents want representing a touring specialist — knowledgeable, passionate, and commercially focused. Their appointments are a game-changer for 2026, putting even more power directly into the hands of agents.”