Cunard reintroduces regional sales team to support travel trade

The move includes the appointment of two new partnership development managers based in different regions, Savannah Fryer and John Garbutt. 

Fryer will cover the North of the UK, while Garbutt will cover the South. Both team members are existing Carnival UK employees and since Monday have been reporting into business manager James Scott, falling under the remit of Tom Mahoney, sales director for the UK. 

Developing relationships with travel trade 

Fryer and Garbutt will be responsible for developing relationships with Cunard's new and existing travel agent partners, as well as offering training, sales, and marketing support.

Cunard's UK sales team now numbers 13 and includes trade operations, partnership development and business development.

‘We are excited to now be able to provide a more tailored, personalised service for our agent partners, with dedicated regional support,’ said Mahoney. 

‘We have listened, and our new approach reflects the feedback we have been receiving. The new field-based team will enhance training and engagement support with our existing partners, while also expanding our distribution to reach new agents who are looking to partner with us.’ 

He described Fryer and Garbutt as joining Cunard ‘at an incredibly exciting time,’ as its ‘trade resources go from strength-to-strength, and we prepare for the imminent arrival of Queen Anne, the fourth spectacular queen to join our fleet.’ 

Preparing for Queen Anne 

The new regional-based approach is one of several trade-focused initiatives being undertaken as the line prepares for the 40% increase in capacity that Queen Anne will bring. Further details are set to be released shortly.