Hurtigruten has restructured its UK sales team which has prompted the line’s explorer manager and national events and sales manager to leave the business.
As part of the shake-up, two roles – a trade partnership manager and an on-the-road business development executive – have been created to work alongside key account manager Russell Cox, the expedition line said.
The new positions will report into head of sales Mark Walter once they have been filled. However, the restructure takes effect from today (September 9).
The line’s explorer manager, Danny Giles, and national events and sales manager, Maria Ersmarker, have decided to leave the business after considering these new roles.
Both have been placed on gardening leave until October 4.
In a statement issued to the trade, Hurtigruten said: “After much consideration and discussion, we are restructuring the UK sales team in order to support our trade partners to a deeper level than ever before.
More: Midcounties’ Russell Cox joins Hurtigruten
Hurtigruten to sail expedition cruises from the UK for first time
Hurtigruten appoints new head of UK sales
“Unfortunately, some roles within the sales team will be made redundant but will be replaced with an office-based trade partnership manager and an on-the-road business development executive to increase face-to-face interactions with agent partners in central/southern England.”
The statement added that the line’s UK team had been “challenged” to grow in line with the company’s global targets.
“It’s therefore vital that the UK management team have a robust and solid structure to support this growth,” the statement added.
Hurtigruten went on to thank Giles and Ersmarker for “their loyalty and commitment” over the nine and eights years respectively they have each been with the company.