has announced the appointment of Sarah Jane Walker as sales manager for the academy team and regional business.

Walker currently works as Princess UK’s academy programme manager, and has worked as a regional business manager for the line.

She will replace Shane Riley when he moves over to sister brands P&O Cruises and Cunard.

Princess said that, in her previous roles, Walker has experience as a travel agent in retail stores, a cruise specialist in call centres, and on board ships as a future cruise sales manager. It added that she has been instrumental in the improvement of the online academy training tools and the launch of Princess’ dedicated agent online portal Onesourcecruises.com.

Walker will start the new role on Monday February 22, reporting to Princess UK’s head of sales, Rachel Poultney, and will lead a team of six.

Poultney said:  “Sarah Jane has been an asset to over the last three years and I couldn’t be more pleased that she is taking on this role.

“Her experience as a regional business manager means she couldn’t be better placed to be taking on the management of our fantastic academy team, developing a strategy that ensures Princess is the easiest cruise line for agents to do business with.”

Walker said: “Having been regional business manager, and most recently being dedicated to agent training as academy programme manager, I am delighted to have been appointed to this role.

“The academy team will continue our commitment to engaging, educating and motivating agent partners through a variety of platforms and I can’t wait to get started.”

will be recruiting for Walker’s previous role.