The cruise and tour operator said the new role, which has been filled by Laura Picton, has been created to help “elevate APT’s profile and product across industry channels”.
APT said the new position would also provide dedicated marketing support to the company’s UK sales team and trade stakeholders.
Picton, who will report to APT’s head of marketing Nicola Cook, joins the company from the National Pharmacy Association, where she was commercial marketing manager. Prior to that Picton held brand and marketing roles at Park Resorts and Bourne Leisure.
Elsewhere, APT has created the role of inside sales executive, which has been filled by Emma Birkett, who was business development manager at Carnival UK. She will provide support to APT’s partners, “working with them to grow their business”.
Angela Waite, head of sales and commercial at APT, told TTG: “This is the first time we’ve had a dedicated trade marketing manager. The trade comprises a significant proportion of our business – we’re looking at different ways we can support and better educate agents about APT.”
She added: “With the creation of these new dedicated support roles we aim to maximise business expansion from across the UK travel trade. These key appointments enable us to provide increased levels of support internally, while also developing trade relationships and enabling commercial growth opportunities for our industry partners.”
The news follows APT’s announcement last month that Paul Melinis, currently director of sales, UK and Europe at Insight Vacations, will be joining APT as regional managing director in April. He will be tasked with driving the growth of APT’s touring and cruise business in the UK and Europe.
