Industry stalwart Neil Herbert is to take over from Lol Nichols as head of sales at Fred Olsen Cruise Lines.
Herbert joins the line on Monday (January 11) ahead of Nichols retiring at the end of the month after 23 years with the company.
Herbert previously worked with British Airways, Cosmos and Keycamp, before spending over six years at Holiday Extras, latterly as sales director.
He then worked with Holiday Taxis, running its UK operation, before joining Value Retail, owner of designer shopping outlet, Bicester Village, where he headed global travel partnerships until the end of 2014.
Herbert joins Fred Olsen after working on various consulting projects in 2015, most recently with online travel training specialist, Equator Learning.
He has been a board member of the Institute of Travel and Tourism and is currently an ambassador for global water aid charity, Just a Drop.
In his new role, Herbert will be responsible for managing Fred Olsen’s UK sales teams, as well as developing UK travel trade relations.
He said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and will continue to develop and nurture strong partnerships with the UK travel trade, building on the great work that has already been achieved by Lol Nichols and his team.
“My key objective is to build even stronger relationships with existing partners and to help to deliver new partnership opportunities to support the Fred Olsen brand and products.”
Sales and marketing director, Nathan Philpot, said: “Neil brings with him many years of sales experience within the UK travel trade, and is well-respected within the industry.
“His appointment marks our continued efforts to support our agent and tour operator partners, and cements our commitment to grow Fred Olsen’s UK business through the trade over the coming years.
“Neil’s enthusiasm, knowledge and sales expertise will be a huge asset to Fred Olsen, and we are all looking forward to working with him. I feel sure that our key partners will, too.”