Doreen Hellens is to leave Hays Travel after 12 years to join Broadway Travel.
Hellens, personal assistant to John Hays, managing director of Hays Travel, will become commercial manager at Broadway.
Hellens is well-known in the trade and is one of a number of staff to join Broadway from Hays in recent years.
She starts on October 13 and will report into group finance and commercial director Jill Mitchell, formerly Gardner, who joined Broadway in 2011 after 12 years at Hays as commercial director.
Hellens will be responsible for managing all commercial aspects of the business as well all events and functions. She will be based at the agency’s Newcastle offices and will be at the group’s annual conference next month.
Staff were told the news on Monday and suppliers were told yesterday.
Former Hays Travel retail cruise sales development manager Adele McGough also recently joined Broadway as head of cruise.
The call centre and online agency is formerly a member of the Hays Independence Group. It set up a consortium in July 2012. Other brands within the group include Directline Holidays and Inspired Luxury Escapes.