Scenic has appointed Shane Lewis-Riley as director of trade sales and partnerships following his exit from Titan Travel

Lewis-Riley announced last week that he would be stepping down as director of trade distribution for Titan Travel after 18 months in the post.

He joins Scenic Group, which includes Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and Emerald Cruises, to lead the trade sales team, where he will work closely with agent partners while driving incremental business through strategic partnership opportunities.

Based in Manchester, Lewis-Riley will be part of a newly formed UK leadership structure designed to support the group as it embarks on its most ambitious fleet expansion in nearly a decade, with nine new river and ocean ships set to launch between 2026 and 2028.

He joins alongside recently appointed marketing directors Laura Gerrard, formerly of Merlin Entertainments, and Jane Witherington, previously with Mamas & Papas. Together with digital director Eleni Kettles, the team will form a strengthened director-level structure, all reporting to managing director, Nichola Absalom.

Lewis-Riley said: “I’m thrilled to join the Scenic Group at such a dynamic time of growth. The team is already highly respected and I’m excited to help introduce new opportunities and strengthen existing partnerships. The product is exceptional and there’s a wealth of potential for agent partners to grow their businesses with us”

Absalom added: “We are really excited to be building a team that will take the UK business to the next level. Shane’s vast experience, his strong reputation within the industry, and his tenacious approach to driving sales make him a fantastic addition.

“This is a pivotal time for growth in the UK, with a significant opportunity to increase market share and drive sales as we expand our fleet, destinations and overall choice for our guests.

“We are seeing growing demand for alternative, niche and more personalised cruise experiences, and Shane’s expertise will be key in helping us capitalise on this momentum. I cannot wait for him to join an already high-performing team as we take things up another level.”