TUI UK&I has announced Helen Caron has been appointed as the new managing director of its cruise division.

Caron, currently director of Ireland, will now be responsible for managing the Thomson Cruises business.

She will report into Fraser Ellacott, customer operations director and starts her new role on January 2nd 2014.

Ellacott said: “We have an extremely successful and popular cruise business in the UK and as the third largest operator, it continues to play an extremely important part in our overall strategy. 

“We have been focused on driving a programme of innovation and modernisation forward in the past few years and have developed a successful brand strategy.

“I am delighted that I can hand the baton over to Helen who will continue to strengthen this approach and has done a fantastic job of transforming our Irish business.”