Six new trade-focused roles have been created by the Sani/Ikos Group with an expansion of its UK and Ireland sales team.
Four new regionally based sales managers will work with travel agents, helping them to increase their knowledge base and providing dedicated account management.
The new sales team will report to UK & Ireland head of sales and marketing Andrea Keeble.
A new sales manager for tour operators will be responsible for commercial and strategic account management.
A second sales support executive based in Thessaloniki, Greece, will also be introduced to support the new team.
The new sales team recruits are:
- Brendan Mallon, joining from Oasis Travel, to be responsible for operators and agents in Scotland and Ireland.
- Leiza Sullivan joins from APT responsible for agents in the north of England.
- Karl Oliver moves from JTA look after agents in the Midlands region.
- Francesca Thompson as the sales manager south joining from Carnival UK.
Meanwhile, Tasha Smith moves from Hyatt Inclusive Collection to take on the tour operator sales manager position.
Regional sales and marketing director Lee Barker said: “We are delighted to welcome our new team members and further solidify the Sani/Ikos Group’s commitment to the trade.
“We have significant growth plans over the next few years with three new Ikos properties announced and further developments at Sani Resort.
“It is an exciting time for our brands and we recognise that our trade partners are a crucial part of this journey and increased support is essential.”
Chief sales officer Antonis Avdelas added: “Travel agents and tour operators are essential to our growth, and true ambassadors of the brand.
“Being both expert professionals and avid travellers, there is no one better positioned to guide clients towards truly memorable experiences, like those that Sani/Ikos love to offer.
“Through the expansion of our sales team, we aim to better understand their needs, increasing our responsiveness and enabling them to sell more of the amazing experiences which the Sani/Ikos Group provide.”
The group, with 12 properties, has secured new investment projects with a capacity of almost 1,000 rooms, suites and villas for the expansion of the Ikos brand in Crete and the Algarve, scheduled to open in 2026 and 2027 respectively, while new destinations are in the pipeline.