Riviera Travel has announced plans to increase its field-based sales team by 75% with the recruitment of three key account managers.

The new appointments – which will make the river line’s dedicated trade team 18-strong – will report into head of trade and partnerships Vicky Billing.

The recruits will be responsible for driving sales and revenue through a number of agent partners via training, engagement and marketing efforts within their specified accounts.

“As we approach Riviera Travel’s 40th anniversary next year, our ambitious plans for business growth continue,” Billing said. “With travel agents an integral part of our operation it’s vital we expand our agent-facing team to ensure we continue to offer the highest-level of trade support.”

It comes after the brand reshaped its trade sales team by giving Stuart Milan, Tom Morgan and Billing expanded roles in a bid to further bolster its ties with its agent partners.

Riviera Travel bolsters trade support

Former channel director Milan will head up the new-look team under his new role as trading director. Reporting in to CEO Phil Hullah, he will continue to oversee the trade, international and group functions, in addition to having overall responsibility for revenue management and agent activity across the business.

Morgan – who was previously the river line’s head of trade UK and Ireland – has been named head of international sales and will continue to report in to Milan.

Billing was promoted to head of trade and partnerships UK and Ireland, with responsibility for trade business alongside her current partnerships remit. She will continue to report into Milan.