Fred Holidays, MSC Cruises and Lufthansa: this week’s travel trade people moves

MSC Cruises has expanded its sales and trade support teams in both the UK and Ireland with three new hires and three new promotions. In the UK, MSC has hired Charlotte Petrides as senior trade support executive as well as Zoe White and Jessica Pearson as trade support executives. All three will report directly to head of trade support and training Claire Smith. After nine years at the company, Danielle Weller has been promoted to senior regional sales manager for southern England, where she will continue to cement MSC’s position with the trade. Meanwhile in Ireland, Suzanne Rowe will become Explora Journeys' head of sales while Alana Byrne has been promoted to senior account manager.

Lufthansa has appointed Patrick Borg Hedley as its new sales general manager for the UK, Ireland and Iceland following the departure of Frank Wagner, who has taken up the position of head of regional sales in Berlin. In his new role, Hedley will be responsible for the commercial and sales activities of the Lufthansa group and will report to Sven Thaler, senior sales director for northern Europe.

Atlas Ocean Voyages has launched the search for a new boss following the departure of president and chief executive James A. Rodriguez, who will step down at the end of the year to pursue other opportunities. Over the past two years, Rodriguez has led the company through a period of sustained growth, expanding its offering beyond polar expeditions while strengthening its relationship with the trade. Atlas Ocean Voyages has nevertheless pledged to ensure a smooth transition and will aim to name a successor by the end of 2024.

Star Clippers key account manager Nicola Cox has been promoted to head of trade sales effective 14 October. It follows the departure of Danielle Bates, who has become Fred Holidays' new head of UK sales. Cox, who has spent the past six years at Star Clippers, said her promotion will enable her “to put new ideas and initiatives into practice, whilst further strengthening” trade relationships.

Celestyal has appointed Rachel Wilton as vice-president of revenue, product and shore experiences, effective immediately. In her new role, Wilton will focus on developing pre and post-cruise experiences for agents, enhancing the excursion programme as Celestyal expands into new destinations. She will also execute the company’s revenue management and will report to chief commercial officer Lee Haslett.

Former Virgin Voyages international sales vice-president Shane Lewis-Riley has been appointed to the newly created role of director of trade distribution at Titan Travel, effective 14 October. Lewis-Riley, who left Virgin Voyages last month after six years to “pursue new opportunities and challenges”, will shape Titan Travel’s trade strategy.

Ailsa Pollard, dnata's former UK and Europe chief, is set to join the board of Newmarket Holidays as a non-executive director. Pollard, who left dnata last year, joins the escorted touring specialist following an undisclosed investment from private equity Soho Square Capital. As part of the investment, L.E.K. Consulting senior partner Geoff Parkin will join as chair while co-funders Jeremy Griffin and Toni Frei, managing director Simon Hibbs and chief executive Niel Alobaidi will remain the majority shareholders.

Mark Sutton has left Protected Trust Services (PTS) after five years at the company. Sutton, who joined PTS as commercial director in January 2020 before being promoted to managing director in 2022, praised the company and the results achieved in the past five years saying they were “nothing short of phenomenal”. “I’ve learned so much, drifted out of my comfort zone on many occasions, and the experiences gained have stood me in good stead for the future - whatever that looks like,” he said in a LinkedIn message. “Thank you to my colleagues who have made this journey possible and helped me along the way - your support has been invaluable. [...]Will not be disappearing from this industry.”

Danny Paines, Altour’s former sales manager, has joined sister company Global Travel Collection (GTC) in the same capacity. In his new role, Paines will focus on attracting new independent travel advisors to GTC and will work alongside Andy Hampshaw, senior manager of revenue development.

Four Seasons Yachts has appointed Seabourn’s former director of national accounts for North America, Shane Buksh, as its new director of trade sales. Effective 7 October, Buksh will be responsible for driving the company’s B2B strategy across several regions. An industry veteran with 26 years of experience, he has previously held roles at the likes of Royal Caribbean, Canadian Airlines and Holland America.