Mark Schmitt and Rachel Healey leave Tradewind Voyages

Schmitt announced his departure in a LinkedIn post on Tuesday (17 May), while TTG has also had Healey’s departure confirmed.

“Hi everyone – I wanted to let you know I have left Tradewind Voyages,” wrote Schmitt. "I don’t have anything lined up and I am looking for a new, exciting role. Thank you in advance for any connections, advice or opportunities you can offer."

Schmitt joined Tradewind as business development manager in May 2020, before being appointed head of sales in April 2021. He previously worked as a UK sales consultant at SeaDream, and spent more than a decade with Trailfinders in London.

Healey, meanwhile, joined Tradewind as UK business development manager in April 2020. Prior to her appointment there, she was national sales manager at Uniworld, and has previously held sales roles with Abercrombie & Kent, USAirtours, Qantas Holidays and Travel 2.

Tradewind’s launch last year was beset by issues; ship Golden Horizon’s "dress rehearsal" sailing in June was cancelled due to Covid ship capacity limits, while a month later the ship was "arrested" in Dover owing to an ongoing dispute between the Croatian shipyard where the vessel was built and previous owner Star Clippers.

Then, in December, Tradewind announced Golden Horizon’s Caribbean winter season had been cancelled. It is due to sail the Mediterranean this summer before redeploying to the Caribbean for the winter.

TTG has approached Tradewind for further comment.