Uniworld bolsters trade team

Uniworld, the six-star river cruise line, has boosted its trade engagement team by appointing two new members of staff at its London office.

David Chidley has joined as national sales manager while Lucy Hopkins will become the company’s new sales development executive.

Chidley will be responsible for increasing awareness and sales for the company, after having spent 11 years at Royal Caribbean within similar roles.

Hopkins joins from Norwegian coastal operator Hurtigruten and will be tasked with organising and planning trade events for Uniworld, as well as identifying new trade partnerships.

Work is already underway on a chocolate tour for delegates at Clia’s upcoming river cruise convention as well as a butler training day at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire.

Kathryn Beadle, Uniworld UK managing director, said:  “We are delighted to welcome David and Lucy to the Uniworld family. Their appointments allow us to increase our agency sales and amplify our continuing support for the trade to be better than ever. It’s also a sign of the priority we place on the UK market and the growth potential that we see here. With a busy programme of events, training, incentives and a tour of travel agencies scheduled we look forward to introducing them to our valued partners and building new relationships too.”