Red Sea Holidays has appointed Sarah Lavender to lead its trade relations team.
Lavender, who has more than 30 years’ experience in the sector, has been appointed as trade relations manager. She will be tasked with growing the tour operator’s existing relationships in the trade when she joins next month.
The announcement follows the departure of national trade manager Nicky Bird earlier this month to join Premier Holidays as business development manager for the south of England and the appointment of former travel rep Josh Bull in the new role of business development executive for the north.
Lavender previously worked as operations manager at Tenerity Travel and prior to that has worked at companies including Affinion Travel International, Tui, First Choice Holidays and Going Places. She was a finalist in the leisure manager of the year category at the 2022 Travel Weekly Agent Achievement Awards.
She said: “I am thrilled to be joining Red Sea Holidays. I am looking forward to bringing my proven approach to customer satisfaction to the business and to play a pivotal role in its period of continued growth.”
Red Sea Holidays executive director Peter Kearns said he was delighted to welcome Lavender at an “exciting time” for the company as it relocates to its new offices in Cambridge, opening next month.
He said: “Sarah’s vast experience, working in both trade and operator roles, gives her a unique perspective and indepth understanding of what both our customers and trade partners need.
“Sarah will be a great asset to both the company and to our valuable trade partners. As always, we remain committed to supporting our trade partners and Sarah will be instrumental in this.”