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Steve Kimber to retire from Carrier

Carrier managing director Steve Kimber is to retire after six and half years with the company.

Kuoni commercial director Mark Duguid has been announced as his replacement.

Kimber said the decision to retire from the company, part of the Kuoni UK Group but based in separate offices in Cheadle, Cheshire, had not been an easy one.

He said: “For over six years I have been lucky enough to be the leader of one of the UK’s most successful luxury tour operators, which has given me many great opportunities and rewards. I have decided though that the time is now right for me to step down. I am confident Mark is the right person to lead Carrier to continued success.”

Duguid, who joins at the start of April, has worked in the travel industry since 1997. He has held the role of commercial director at Kuoni for four years and prior to that was commercial director at Globespan in Edinburgh.

He will oversee a team of 88 in his new role, including the tour operation and its independent retail shop Carrier Travel, based in Alderley Edge.

He said: “Over recent years I have witnessed the company flourish under Steve’s leadership and look forward to continuing his work in taking this prestigious brand forward in the months and years ahead.”

Kuoni has also announced other job changes, with purchasing and customer experience director Wendy Kenneally taking on extra responsibility in an expanded role as commercial and operations director. Kenneally has been with Kuoni for more than 20 years.

In addition Kuoni has created a new senior role to develop the operator’s specialist products, including cruise, escorted touring and weddings, and to manage its third-party supplier relationships.

Derek Jones, managing director of Kuoni and chief executive of DER Touristik UK, said:  “We wish Mark well in his new role at Carrier; it’s a fantastic opportunity for him to lead one of the most respected brands in luxury travel.

“Wendy is hugely respected in the industry and has been instrumental in leading Kuoni’s best-in-class service initiative, so this is natural role for her to take on.

“Kuoni is famous for delivering outstanding service to customers from the minute they leave home to the minute they return.   It’s an exciting time for our brand as we look to the future to further develop our product range and our service proposition.”

The changes take effect from April 3.

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