Horner, who has been working with Simpson as a non-executive director since January, joins the business from Scott Dunn where he was marketing director.

His previous roles include heading up Telegraph Media Group’s marketing division, and serving as head of loyalty at Coca-Cola in the UK.

Founder of Simpson Travel, Graham Simpson, said Horner brought a “deep understanding” of the business’s product, level of service and customer experience.

“Graham [also] brings... a fresh approach as to how we model Simpson Travel over the next few years – especially in these volatile times when inventive ideas can play such a large part helping a company like ours to develop and reach our true potential,” Simpson added.

Horner said: “I [have] travelled several times with Simpson Travel as a client and have always been impressed by the quality of what they offer, their amazing destination knowledge and fantastic properties. I’m really looking forward to leading the business into the next phase of its development as we take Simpson Travel into the future.”

Scott Dunn parent Luxury Travel Group, meanwhile, has appointed Simon Lynch its new director of sales, completing the group’s new-look senior management team, who have been charged with leading the business “in a fresh direction”.

Lynch, who joins the business from Abercrombie & Kent, will take up his role on 24 June, which the group says will “solidify and strengthen” its senior management team, led by chief executive Sonia Davies.