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Amanda Darrington appointed new Royal Caribbean sales director

Royal Caribbean has appointed Amanda Darrington as sales director for UK and Ireland.

Darrington, who is currently sales director at Funway Holidays, will take up her new post on April 24.

She was previously head of trade sales at Kuoni for more than three years before moving to Funway in January 2016.

Darrington’s appointment follows other changes among the line’s senior team which has seen former managing director Stuart Leven promoted to vice president of Europe, Middle East and Africa, and former director of sales UK and Ireland, Ben Bouldin, promoted to associate vice president and managing director for UK and Ireland.

Former head of sales, Steve Williams, moved to MSC Cruises in July 2016 after 10 years with the company.

Bouldin said: “Amanda is the perfect person to lead our sales team into 2017 and beyond, so it’s with great pleasure that we welcome her on board.

“Her proven drive and ambition, as well as her unparalleled industry experience, clearly shows that she has what it takes to drive our business forward.

“She has also demonstrated outstanding leadership skills and a real passion for fostering and developing talent, which will no doubt help us achieve our vision of having the best sales team in the travel industry.

“We have another incredible year ahead of us and plan to take our sales team and agent training and initiatives, such as our award-winning Club Royal loyalty programme, to new heights.

“I have every confidence that Amanda will bring with her the knowledge, business acumen and tenacity to ensure 2017 is our most successful year to date and, on a personal level, I’m very much looking forward to working with her.”

Darrington said: “Joining the Royal Caribbean UK and Ireland sales team is a dream job for me and I’m excited to build on the ambitious plans Ben has set in motion.

“Cruise holidays are en vogue for our industry, as an increasingly favoured holiday experience and there is no one innovating quite like Royal Caribbean.

“It’s an exciting time to join the business and to steer the team to even more extraordinary successes.”

Funway Holidays managing director, Stephen Rhodes, said: “We wish Amanda well as it is a fantastic opportunity for her and I am sure it’s a role she will thrive in.

“Amanda has built a strong sales and reservations team offering outstanding customer service that will continue to serve our trade partners.”

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