The operator’s senior management team has also been expanded to include Matt Appleby as product and commercial director and Tracy Docherty as business development director.

David Irving has been named as head of specialist business.

Appleby, Docherty, Irving and McCreadie will join If Only in early September 2017.

In addition to the new recruits If Only revealed plans to create up to 40 new jobs at its headquarters in Milngavie just outside Glasgow, with several recruitment days planned over the coming weeks.

Commenting, Brendan Maguire founder and managing director said: “Following the sustained growth in our established destinations, the successful launch of our Australasia programme last year and repeated requests from agents to expand our portfolio into other parts of the world, we decided this is the right time to expand, while still retaining If Only’s core values of quality service, in-depth product knowledge and competitive pricing.

"I’m delighted to bring in the new recruits to join our already well established team. With Andy’s passion for supporting agents and his renowned industry experience, I can’t think of a more capable chief executive to make all this happen. I will be taking up the role of chairman here at If Only, carefully and sensitively handing over the day to day operation of the company to Andy, while remaining active in the business and keeping an eye on the strategic vision of our brand.’’

Andy Freeth was previously managing director of Travel 2 and Gold Medal, after joining Travel 2 in 2009. Gordon McCreadie was previously director of sales and marketing B2B dnata Travel UK at dnata Travel, after joining Travel 2 in 2010.