Explore Worldwide has appointed a new product director and head of product after two internal promotions.
Head of product Rachael Stone replaces product director Simon Grove, who left the business in June this year. Americas programme manager Carmel Hendry has been promoted to replace Stone as head of product.
Stone, who has been head of product for two years, has 20 years’ experience in the industry, 15 of which have been in the small group adventure travel sector.
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She has also worked as a tour leader in South America and an expedition guide in Antarctica and led product, operations and customer services teams in other adventure travel businesses.
She said: “I’m delighted to be joining the senior leadership team at Explore, and looking forward to shaping our product strategy to ensure we expand on our already-fantastic programme of innovative, immersive itineraries, always with a clear focus on our sustainability goals.”
Hendry has worked for Explore for eight years, joining as Americas product manager in 2008, and promoted to Americas programme manager in 2022.
Prior to Explore, Hendry worked for trekking and cycling tour operator Charity Challenge as senior operations manager, tasked with developing new tours. She is also vice chair of the Latin American Travel Association (Lata).
“I adore the Americas, but I’m really looking forward to moving into a global product role, and working across different regions that all have their own unique specialities and challenges,” she said, adding: “I’m excited about working with a highly experienced product team, who have tons of enthusiasm for adventure travel, and making sure the team’s structure, systems and processes are streamlined and agile in order to exceed our ambitious growth targets.”
Commenting on the promotions, managing director Michael Edwards said: “Our once-in-a-lifetime trips are at the centre of our award-winning business, and we’ve never had a stronger product team.
“We’ve just launched an exceptional upgraded range and have several other new tours and destinations in the pipeline. It’s a really exciting time, and we’re in a really strong position with Rachael and Carmel at the helm of our stellar product team.”