Sister river cruise lines Scenic and Emerald Waterways have created two new senior positions in an expansion of their UK team.
Angela Sloan will become head of sales UK while Chris Barker has been appointed as head of marketing.
Sloan was formerly the company’s national sales manager and previously worked at Gold Medal and Thomas Cook.
Barker previously worked as group head of marketing at Manchester Airports Group and also head of marketing at Shearings Holidays.
Chris Townson, UK managing director, said the appointments would enable the brands to be a ‘one-stop shop for river cruising’.
He said: “The addition of Chris Barker, a truly commercial and dynamic marketer with a previous tour operator skill set is a perfect fit within our expanding business to drive and mature our direct and trade market offering.
“Angela Sloan has driven a phenomenal sales performance for the brands over her time with the business and the progression to head of sales UK is a natural one.
“In the incredibly capable hands of both Chris and Angela working closely with me on continuous development and growth along with a truly world-class team of staff, I’m confident that we have the right balance of determination, brand and, most importantly, people to continue on this amazing journey.”
Barker will join the Manchester-based team in April. He said: “I’m very pleased to be joining such a thriving and ambitious business.
“As a marketer this is a wonderful opportunity to work with two fantastic brands, an incredible luxury product and some great trade partners. I’m looking forward to joining such a strong team and playing a part in the next stage of Scenic’s successful growth.”
Sloan, who has been with the company since 2013, said: “I’m hugely excited to be a part of Scenic and Emerald Waterways’ continuing story in the new role of Head of Sales UK.
“As national sales manager for the brands over the last three years, we’ve gained ourselves an enviable reputation for combining excellent product with true passion and with the support of our dedicated, and growing, trade team and a raft of new development plans the future looks even brighter.”
Last year the company unveiled its uncapped agent incentive scheme, River Rewards, which awards luxury gifts and experiences for every booking made.