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Barrhead promotes head of commercial to director position
Barrhead Travel has promoted Caroline Donaldson, formerly head of commercial, to the position of product and commercial director.
The newly-created role follows the recent shake-up of senior managers which saw Jacqueline Dobson become president.
The restructure came as the Glasgow-based agency was acquired by American company Travel Leaders Group.
Under her new remit, Donaldson will oversee commercial agreements, product development and business development for all areas of the business, including cruise.
Donaldson joined Barrhead over 16 years ago as a part-time longhaul consultant before quickly progressing to manage the department.
In 2007, she was appointed business development manager after successfully striking up supplier relationships as the business growth began to accelerate.
"It’s a really exciting time to be part of Barrhead Travel. I am looking forward to the next chapter that this role will bring, including working alongside our cruise partners," she said.
"The creation of the position is a reflection of our strength within the UK market as we continue to expand and acknowledges the developments we have made in terms of product enhancements and commercial negotiations."
Dobson added: "I have worked with Caroline for 16 years and I am delighted that she will be joining the senior management team. This promotion is testament to Caroline’s unwavering commitment, passion for the company and flair for relationships which has ultimately driven the Business Development division forward over the years.
"At Barrhead Travel, we are committed to growing our people from within and Caroline is an excellent example of how hard work and talent is recognised and nurtured."
Barrhead will introduce a new internal Talent Management Programme in late summer and aims to ensure approximately 75% of promotions are filled internally.
New York-based Travel Leaders’ UK portfolio includes Barrhead, Colletts Travel, Protravel International UK and Tzell UK.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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