Claire Hills has been promoted to the position of national sales manager at Riviera Travel, taking effect on September 1.
This new role underscores Riviera Travel’s strategy to bolster trade relations through experienced leadership.
Riviera Travel’s Strategic Role Creation
Riviera Travel has appointed Claire Hills as the new national sales manager, a role specifically crafted to enhance retail and OTA sales engagements. Taking effect from September 1, this position signifies the company’s reinforcement of its sales strategy focusing on trade. Hills’ appointment represents a key structural change aimed at stimulating growth through robust trade relationships.
Hills, an integral part of Riviera since 2021, has excelled as a key account manager. Her promotion reflects her significant contributions, guiding the company’s trade delivery initiatives. She will now supervise five key account managers directly, a strategic move expected to streamline communications and operations within the team. This restructuring aims to bolster Riviera’s position in the competitive travel sector.
Leadership and Strategic Vision
Claire Hills’ new role comes with considerable responsibility. She will report to Vicky Billing, the head of trade and partnerships, ensuring that Riviera’s ambitious growth targets are met. Amanda Docherty, supervising national sales for homeworkers, will also continue to report to Billing, demonstrating a cohesive leadership team.
Vicky Billing has praised Hills’ expertise and commitment, emphasising her instrumental role in propelling Riviera’s trade sales. “Her 20 years in field-sales roles makes her ideal as we continue to push our trade sales agenda,” Billing noted, highlighting the strategic foresight in their leadership appointments.
Aligning Strategy with Experience
Efficiency and experience are at the forefront of Riviera’s strategic realignment. The internal promotion of Claire Hills signifies a decision deeply rooted in leveraging experience for strategic growth. Her longstanding industry involvement is expected to drive innovation and maintain strong retail partnerships.
A seasoned veteran, Hills is poised to optimise Riviera’s trade engagement framework. Her familiarity with the company’s ethos and strategic objectives positions her well for navigating the complexities of the tourism market. This move underlines Riviera’s commitment to evolving its strategy predicated on experienced leadership. Further organisational changes underscore this vision, such as the promotion of Darren Mussell to trade support manager and Maddison Glut to trade support executive.
The Role of Trade Support and Execution
Riviera’s restructuring extends to bolstering its trade support functions, crucial for seamless operational execution. With Mussell and Glut stepping into their new roles, the company is enhancing its operational capabilities to support bigger trade volumes and more intricate engagements.
Such roles are critical in the continued success of Riviera’s growth plan. These appointments are not just titles; they symbolise Riviera’s dedication to evolving its framework to match increasing industry demands while nurturing the trade relationships essential for resilience and expansion.
Enhancing Trade Partner Relations
The strengthening of trade relations is pivotal to Riviera’s strategy. Hills’ focus will be on fostering these connections, ensuring that retailer partners are well-supported and aligned with Riviera’s growth ambitions. The emphasis is on providing industry-leading trade support, which is a cornerstone of the company’s business model.
By prioritising trade partnerships, Riviera aims to establish a competitive edge. The restructuring facilitates more efficient communication and collaboration with partners, intending to enhance client satisfaction and streamline service delivery. This alignment with trade partners is essential for Riviera’s planned market expansion.
Commitment to Growth and Excellence
Riviera is committed to excellence and growth. Hills stated that the company’s travel agent partners are crucial for their success. “I look forward to working with our key account managers to improve our already industry-leading trade support,” she commented, expressing enthusiasm for her new role.
The company’s dynamic approach in restructuring and promoting internal talents underlines its commitment to sustaining growth and driving excellence in an ever-changing market. Such strategic decisions strengthen its foundation for future success, ensuring that it remains an industry leader.
The Bigger Picture and Future Outlook
Riviera Travel’s organisational changes mark a significant step towards achieving its long-term objectives. By aligning leadership vision with trade execution capabilities, the company is strategically positioning itself for sustained growth and market leadership.
Claire Hills’ appointment as national sales manager represents a strategic move for Riviera Travel in enhancing trade capabilities and sustaining growth.
