Former Fred Olsen Cruise Lines sales and marketing director Nigel Lingard has taken up a consultancy role with All Discovery Cruising.
His involvement with the trade-facing arm of All Leisure Holidays is part of the company’s plans to strengthen its relationship with the trade.
As business development consultant, Lingard will help develop trade awareness and sales of Voyages of Discovery, Swan Hellenic and Hebridean Island Cruises.
Sales and marketing director Geoff Lawrence said: “Nigel is such a well-respected and experienced figure in the cruise industry that it is brilliant to have him on-board during these exciting times.”
“All Discovery Cruising has some ambitious targets as we believe that travel agents will play a vital part in our success. We are looking for a very substantial increase in the business we get from our existing trade partners, and hope to get many more retailers working with us in the future.
“We are committed to stepping up our trade marketing, support and training and are certain Nigel’s expertise will prove invaluable as part of this.”
Lingard said: “All Discovery Cruising knows that agents have the potential to be its greatest ambassadors and for me that is very exciting.
“Working with the trade has always been a passion of mine and I am looking forward to using my knowledge to help take these three brands to the next level.”
His move comes as All Leisure embarks on a £35 million investment in its cruise operations in 2012, including a £10 million refurbishment of Swan Hellenic’s Minerva; the addition of a second ship, Voyager, to the Voyages of Discovery fleet; and a new river cruise vessel Royal Crown, for Hebridean Island Cruises.