Cosmos, Globus and Avalon Waterways have promoted Lesley Taylor to the position of UK managing director following news of the departure of Giles Hawke.
The touring and river cruise specialist announced last week that Hawke would be leaving this summer to take over as vice-president and managing director EMEA of Celebrity Cruises.
Taylor joined the company in June 1994 and has covered a wide range of commercial, product and customer experience roles.
Currently she is customer experience director, responsible for customer care and people strategies, with oversight of the company’s contact centre, customer services, training, HR and air operations teams.
She will start in her new role on July 1, with a handover period with Hawke through to the end of July.
Taylor will report to Scott Nisbet, chief executive of the Globus Family of Brands.
Nisbet said: “This appointment ensures continuity, stability and inspiring leadership for the team and Lesley will work across all departments to ensure that we continue to focus fully on our customers, our valuable travel agency partners, and our other business partners.
“I have absolute confidence in Lesley’s ability to lead the team through the coming years and continue to grow our touring and river cruise business.”
Taylor added: “I am absolutely delighted to be taking on this exciting and important role and carrying on the good work that we have been doing over recent years.
“I see a big opportunity for our brands in the UK market and have some exciting ideas to deliver even better support for our agent partners, build on our amazing team culture and work with my colleagues globally to ensure we are delivering the best possible holiday experiences for our customers.”