Former MyTravel commerical boss Ruth Hilton has rejoined the group to become head of Gold Medal’s sales division to help the company improve ties with independent agents.
Hilton joins from travel agency business Affinion International, where she was travel sales director, but was previously head of commerical at MyTravel, head of sales at XL Leisure Group and head of product and commercial at The Co-operative Travel Group.
Gold Medal deputy managing director Steve Barrass said: “We’re confident Ruth’s strong relationships across the industry will allow us to work more closely with our agents to deliver the product and service they’re looking for.”
Hilton will be tasked with strengthening Gold Medal’s relationships with the independent trade, helping the operator meet agents’ needs more effectively and exploring business opportunities.
She said: “I see a key part of my role to listen to our partners to ensure we have a clear understanding of the needs of our agents with a priority to make sure there is a real customer focus in everything we do and that we’re offering a service that agents and customers can rely on.
“Our goal is to develop true partnerships with our agents based on understanding and long term mutual gain, not short-term tactical arrangements.”
Hilton, who will be based at Gold Medal’s Preston HQ, will be joined by a new national sales manager later this month. Tina Hodge will be responsible for the operator’s field sales team in the UK and Ireland, working closely with independent agents and consortia.