Star Clippers appoints new head of trade sales

Danielle Bates (pictured second from right) has been promoted to head of trade sales at Star Clippers.

She will be leading a team of five regional and office-based sales support staff and reporting to Fay McCormack, GM for Star Clippers’ UK and Ireland operation, represented by Fred Olsen Travel.

Fay McCormack said: “Dani has played a key part in developing our relationship with UK and Irish travel agents during the past ten years. Our relationship with agents is crucial to delivering more opportunities to sail on board these majestic ships than ever before.”

Dani’s promotion comes as Star Clippers prepares to welcome their long-awaited new ship, Flying Clipper, the first full rigged clipper of its kind to be built since 2000, and follows the recent expansion of the UK Star Clippers sales team, with the appointment of Nicola Pearce in a new role of regional sales manager for the south west, and Emma Moore taking on regional sales for the Midlands and South East (maternity cover for Rosanna Ivkovic) before she takes up a full-time role of sales support in the Ipswich head office.

Flying Clipper is due to launch during 2019 and details of sailing itineraries are expected imminently.