Star Clippers promotes Danielle Bates to head of trade sales

Bates will lead a team of five regional and office-based sales support staff reporting to Fay McCormack, general manager Star Clippers UK and Ireland.

Her promotion from sales manager comes as the line prepares to take delivery of its new ship, Flying Clipper.

The ship will be the first full-rigged clipper of its type to be built since Royal Clipper nearly 20 years ago.

“Dani is much loved within the industry and has played a key part in developing our relationship with UK and Irish travel agents during the past 10 years,” said McCormack.

“As we prepare to welcome our long-awaited new ship, Flying Clipper, our relationship with agents is crucial to delivering more opportunities to sail on these majestic ships than ever before.”

Bates’s promotion follows expansion of the Star Clippers sales team in January with the appointment of regional sales manager south west Nicola Pearce and Emma Moore taking on responsibility for regional in the Midlands and south-east.

Moore, who is covering for Rosanna Ivkovic while she is on maternity leave, will later take up a full-time sales support role in the line’s Ipswich head office.