Luxury tour operator If Only has restructured its sales team to improve its trade relationships following the recent expansion of its product portfolio.
The tour operator has promoted business development managers Neil Sealy and Dominic Carrick to more senior roles in the company and is recruiting for a new sales executive to work on the road.
Sealy, who was BDM for south-east England, becomes head of sales while Carrick, previously BDM for the Midlands, East Anglia and central London, takes the role of head of partnerships. The changes take immediate effect but both will continue to be responsible for their own geographic regions, with support from the new sales executive.
Carrick’s role will involve developing a more strategic approach to major travel agency groups, both multiples and independents, to build more “mutually beneficial business” with trade partners in each region of the UK and Ireland.
Managing director and founder Brendan Maguire said: “Until now our business development managers have reported directly to me but as we continue to grow I have recognised the need for a head of sales to be more hands-on in supporting this team of highly motivated individuals. I couldn’t think of a candidate more suitable than Neil, who will bring his industrywide experience, his reputation and his excellent people skills to this role.
“At the same time, I saw in this restructure, the opportunity to deliver on our wish for a more strategic approach to travel agency groups. Dominic, knowing the If Only approach to business inside out and also having worked on the retail travel side of the industry, will be able to work with multiple and independent agency groups alike in an effective, business-like and empathetic way.”
Maguire said the new sales executive position would suit someone looking for their first on the road sales job.
The trade-only operator recently introduced Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands to its range of destinations, which already includes the Indian Ocean, Arabia and Asia.