Townson, managing director UK, Scenic, said the promotion of Angela Sloan to the newly created role of head of sales UK, and the appointment of Chris Barker to the position of head of marketing UK, would enable the company to keep growing its agent business after experiencing a 90% year-on-year surge in 2016.

He said the reshuffle meant the lines had “seasoned campaigners in great positions” and didn’t discount the idea that trade sales could increase by a further 50% this year.

“There’s so much growth out there in the river cruise market and the trade is a major channel for our business,” Townson told TTG. “[Sloan and Barker] both understand the needs of agents.”

Townson added that Sloan, who was formerly the company’s national sales manager, had been promoted to contend with the “rapid growth” it had seen from agents.

Barker, meanwhile, who is set to join the Manchester-based company in April, has worked as group head of marketing at Manchester Airports Group and head of marketing at Shearings Holidays. He will be tasked with the overall marketing strategy for both brands and focus on “key areas of growth in the trade and digital sectors”, the company said.

Last month, Scenic and Emerald boosted its sales team with two new trade sales managers. Simon McDermott, previously of Avalon Waterways and AmaWaterways, now covers the northern central region for the lines, while former P&O Cruises and Cunard employee Wendi Hardy has taken ownership of key account relationships across the southern central territory.