The Ambassador Cruise Line trade team will be headed by new hire Nicola Harper as it prepares for the introduction of a second ship next May.
She assumes the newly-created role of head of distribution on October 10, joining from Aquilium Travel, where she was head of operations and strategy.
Harper brings more than 15 years’ travel industry experience to the position, covering ancillary products, tour operations, bed banks and homeworking, working closely with both trade and contact centre teams.
She will work closely with head of reservations Dave Eastwood on a transition plan for the management of the contact centre through October. Eastwood then takes on a new role as head of inventory and trading. They will report to chief commercial officer Phil Gardner.
Harper started her travel career as a senior retail manager at Tui UK before moving to Attraction World as national account manager. Subsequent roles include trade partnerships manager at Thomas Cook and head of sales at Beds With Ease.
Gardner said: “I am delighted to welcome Nicola to Ambassador in the newly-created role of head of distribution.
“As brand awareness and interest in our premium-value product continues to grow, our focus on creating and fostering trade partnerships has never been so important to us.
“I look forward to working with Nicola as we continue to develop a brand and a business that stands tall in the UK cruise market.”
Meanwhile, industry PR veteran Ian Benjafield has joined the line as head of communications with responsibility for corporate, consumer and internal communication, bringing with him more than 25 years’ experience in the travel industry. He has previously worked for Disneyland Paris, Tui UK, Thomas Cook and Travelodge and agency-side travel PR at Finn Partners.
He will be work alongside Rooster PR, which was appointed as Ambassador’s PR agency in August.
Chief marketing officer Gordon Nardini said: “As Britain’s newest cruise line, we have so much to say. We know our guests, trade partners and media want to hear from Ambassador about our company developments and the great experiences and memories we are creating on board.
“The appointment of Ian, with his varied experience and deep understanding of the travel PR landscape, comes at a pivotal time for the company as we continue on our current growth trajectory and look to share our story more widely.
“With the support of Rooster PR, Ian will also be key to the launch of Ambassador’s second ship, Ambition, to the market in May 2023.”