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Cruise Nation recruits ex-Thomas Cook partnerships manager

Former Thomas Cook partnerships manager Jemma Bridges has joined Cruise Nation as global product and partnerships manager.

Bridges, who started with the Swansea-based business on Monday (November 11), lost her job with Thomas Cook when it went into liquidation in September.

In addition to building relationships with cruise line, Bridges will oversee media partnerships and devise a strategy to sell Cruise Nation packages through the trade.

Bridges held several roles at Thomas Cook including partnerships manager, cruise-and-stay assistant product manager and cruise product manager.

Cruise Nation owner Phil Evans said: “Jemma is outgoing and fun and that is great asset to have.

More: Cruise Nation seeks Thomas Cook staff for potential new office in Peterborough

“We have been looking at the structure [of Cruise Nation] over the last 18 months and looking to get the right people in the jobs who are going to be proactive rather than reactive.

“I identified people at Thomas Cook who would be perfect for Cruise Nation.”

Evans said the collapse of Thomas Cook meant the recruitment drive was brought forward six months.

Bridges will be based in Cruise Nation’s new Peterborough office once a site is confirmed by Evans. He hopes to open the satellite call centre by December 1.

So far, he has recruited 12 sales staff to work at the Peterborough site. Bridges’ appointment takes the team to 13, although she will operate separately from the sales staff.

Bridges, who was with Thomas Cook for more than 13 years, said: “[Thomas Cook’s collapse] was daunting when it happened as I realised I would have to go up against people from Thomas Cook for similar roles. I do not think anyone expected it happen.

“I am excited to get to know Phil and the team. It sounds like Cruise Nation has some ambitious plans.”

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