Former Saga commercial director Helen Adamson is the first senior appointment to be made by Travelopia following its £325 million buy-out from Tui by global investment firm KKR last week.
She is joining on March 1 as managing director of the specialist short haul brands, Sovereign and Citalia.
Her appointment follows the decision of current managing director, Steph Pritchard, to retire from the role.
Adamson previously held the position of head of sales and marketing at Citalia between 1991 and 1993 and has worked for Thomson, British Airways Holidays and Disney
Pritchard has been at the helm of Sovereign since 1995 and took on the responsibility for managing Citalia in 2009.
She leaves Travelopia, having made the decision last year to seek more flexibility and take time out for herself, the company said.
Travelopia managing director of tailomade and marine, Mathew Prior, said: “It is with immense sadness that we say goodbye to Steph, but with great pleasure that we welcome Helen to the business.
“She has a huge passion for travel and a wealth of experience in the industry.
“I am absolutely delighted that she will be coming on board to lend her calibre and strong ambition to the role of driving further growth in both Sovereign and Citalia over the coming years.”
He added: “We have a number of exciting initiatives in the pipeline, as well as continuing to build on both brands’ product ranges, implementing major system developments and fostering our important relationships with our trade partners.
“I am confident that with Helen’s business acumen, proven leadership skills and hands-on approach she is the perfect person to take over the mantle from Steph Pritchard and continue to drive the success of both brands.
“Steph has done an outstanding job of leading Sovereign and Citalia over the years and will be greatly missed.
“She has worked tirelessly to establish our award-winning brands in the marketplace and developed fantastic supplier relationships that have ensured the success of our brands that they are today.”
Adamson said: “I am extremely thrilled to be joining Travelopia at this incredibly exciting time for the business. I’m very much looking forward to carrying on the ambitious plans and initiatives that Steph has already instigated, as well as leading the brands to further successes in the future.”