Ambassador Cruise Line has bolstered its UK trade team with a raft of new appointments and internal promotions

The cruise line has appointed Laura Yates to the newly-created role of business development manager – homeworkers and new business, while Jade Cheadle has been promoted to business development manager – south and Carly Bowkett will step into the position of interim trade support manager.

Yates joins Ambassador from Hays Travel, where she most recently held the role of cruise commercial assistant manager, where she managed cruise line partnerships and supported the commercial performance of cruise brands across the business.

In her new role, Yates will focus on developing relationships with homeworking agents and identifying new business opportunities.

Cheadle, formerly business development executive for the south west and Wales, has been promoted with immediate effect. As business development manager – south, she will be responsible for fostering existing commercial relationships to maximise sales opportunities and drive day-to-day trading across the region while also developing new agent partnerships.

Bowkett, meanwhile, has been named interim trade support manager as Beth Barker prepares to leave the business on maternity leave. In her role as maternity cover, she will manage trade support across the north of England and Scotland while also leading the Trade Support Team, with trade support assistant Joshua Newbert reporting directly into her.

Karen Cameron, deputy head of trade at Ambassador Cruise Line, said: “As brand awareness and interest in our affordable quality, no-fly and fly-cruise product continues to grow, it is essential that we continue to invest in the people and relationships that support our valued trade partners.

“Laura’s extensive experience across cruise partnerships, marketing and commercial performance will be a real asset as we look to grow our homeworking partnerships and develop new trade relationships.

“I am also delighted to see Jade and Carly step into their new roles. Both have already made a significant contribution to the success of the trade team and these well-deserved moves will help ensure we continue to provide agents with all the tools, support and expertise they need to sell Ambassador with confidence.”