Travelopia recruits former Thomas Cook national sales manager

Gaddes has been appointed trade partnerships manager role, with responsibility for Travelopia’s tailor-made brands – Hayes & Jarvis, Citalia, Sovereign, Austravel and American Holidays.

After starting his career overseas with Cook, Gaddes progressed through Cook to join its trade partnerships team.

He brings first-hand retail travel agency knowledge and experience, and will work alongside Travelopia account manager Amy Power to support head office and customer-facing agents.

Gaddes will report to head of trade partnerships Simon Garrido and will focus on developing and delivering Travelopia’s trade partnership strategy, focused around worldwide multi-centre trips.

His role will also involve ensuring Travelopia’s agent partners are equipped to sell and promote the operator’s holidays.

“We have been discussing opportunities for a while and have now been able to move this forward following the sad events at the start of last week,” said Garrido.

“Kevin is well-known and respected and brings with him the expertise that will enable us to further develop our relationships with the trade.

“This is an exciting time for us at Travelopia as we develop our amazing worldwide multi-centre holidays, and I’m really pleased that Kevin is joining us on the journey."

Gaddes added: “It’s great to be joining the Travelopia team and helping to drive engagement with both new and existing trade partners.

“Whilst the events last Monday were incredibly sad for me personally and the industry more widely, I am pleased I can move onto the next chapter within the industry and join a business with such great ambition.”