Ambassador Cruise Line has boosted its in-house trade team with four new business development executives (BDE), a trade support executive and a trade support assistant.
The six new appointments mean the trade team now totals 13.
Debbie Ballantyne has joined as BDE for Scotland and Northern Ireland, reporting to Karen Cameron, Ambassador’s deputy head of trade until Ambassador names Cameron’s replacement as divisional sales manager for the north.
Ballantyne joins from Barrhead Travel, where she was a branch manager. Previous roles include sales positions at Iglu Cruise and Cruise.co.uk.
Natalie Hurst has joined as BDE for the North Midlands, along with Kelly Whitefoot, who has been recruited as a BDE for the South Midlands, and Jade Cheadle, who will have responsibility for trade relations in the South West and Wales.
All three report to Louise Tansey, Ambassador’s divisional sales manager for the south.
Hurst moves from The Travel Network Group, where she was a business development manager, having previously worked as a branch manager for Newell’s Travel.
Whitefoot joins from Aquilium Travel Group, where she was operations manager, having previously worked in management roles at Polka Dot Travel, Hays Travel, Thomas Cook and Tui.
Cheadle moves from Tui where she was a travel advisor and team leader. She has also had sales roles beyond the travel sector.
Michelle Nairne has joined as group support executive, reporting to Alan Rennie, business development manager for groups.
Joining the business from Adrian Flux Insurance Services, where she was a customer services clerk, her role focusses on ensuring contracts, allocations and group needs are met while establishing and optimising processes to capitalise on business opportunities.
Audra Garner has moved from her role as reservations specialist in Ambassador’s contact centre to the position of trade support assistant to bolster the support function. She joined Ambassador in June 2021 and reports to Ambassador’s trade support manager, Beth Barker.
Nicola Harper, head of distribution at Ambassador Cruise Line, said: “I am delighted to welcome some great new talent to the Ambassador Trade Team, which will only benefit our agent partners as we look to continue providing them with all the support and tools they need.
“These experienced additions illustrate just how highly we value the trade, who can rest assured that Ambassador will be with them every step of the way as we look to continue serving both the business and our partners in the most effective and productive way possible.”
The recruitment of new BDEs follows Cameron’s promotion to the position of deputy head of trade.
The company has launched a search for her replacement as divisional sales manager for the north, covering trade partners in the north of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.