SHG reinforces trade support with key appointments

Specialist Holidays Group has reinforced its trade sales support with two senior appointments.

Head of trade partnerships Jorge Quibell is promoted to director of trade partnerships from August 1.

Maria Cunningham joins as head of sales for company brands Sovereign Luxury Travel, American Holidays and Citalia, moving from Travelbag where she led a team of 38 across both retail stores and contact centre operations.

Quibell will continue to lead the group’s trade strategy, oversee the expanded trade partnerships team, and work across the business to strengthen relationships with agents as well as developing new opportunities for growth.

Cunningham will lead SHG’s contact centre sales operations across Horsham, Belfast, and Dublin, including oversight of a new dedicated trade reservations team alongside all contact centre sales.

Her appointment supports the team responsible for handling customer and trade bookings across the group’s reservation operations.

SHG group chief executive Andy Freeth said: "These appointments reflect our continued confidence in and commitment to our agent partners and the trade channel.

“We know how important it is for agents to have access to expert support, responsive service and the tools that make it easy to do business with us.

"Jorge and Maria give us the experience, expertise and relationships, which along with our expanded team and investment in our new trade portal, demonstrate our focus on strengthening our partnerships with agents and supporting their growth. We’re delighted to welcome Maria to the business and congratulate Jorge on his well-deserved promotion."

Quibell added: “I am really excited to be taking on this new role at such an important time for the business and for our trade partners.

“Travel agents are central to our growth, and we hugely value the support we continue to receive from partners across the UK and Ireland. My focus will be on building those relationships further, making sure agents have the right tools, support, and access to our teams, and continuing to champion the trade across Sovereign, American Holidays and Citalia.”