Trafalgar, the global leader in worldwide guided holidays, has appointed Ruth Hilton as sales and business development director, UK & Ireland.

Hilton will be responsible for Trafalgar’s overall business development strategy and its continued growth in the UK, nurturing existing trade relationships and developing new meaningful partnerships to increase sales and brand awareness.

She will lead a sales and marketing team of six.

Hilton will report in to Trafalgar global chief executive Gavin Tollman, who said: “Ruth is well established and respected in the UK travel industry and her connections and experience mean she is extremely well placed to lead our UK sales operation.

“Her strategic and results-orientated approach, her drive, entrepreneurial spirit and in-depth knowledge of the industry will all serve to further build on Trafalgar’s position as the leading guided holiday operator in the UK, as we come in to our 70th year.

“We’re delighted to welcome her to the team.”

Hilton joins from Dnata UK where, as head of sales and business development, she led the strategic direction of the business in sales opportunities and initiatives both in the UK and internationally, driving brand strategy, innovative ways of working and new product development to grow the business, and leading a best in class field and office-based sales team.

Hilton added: “This role represents a fantastic opportunity to grow commercial opportunities and increase brand awareness for Trafalgar.

“The last twelve months have been exciting for Trafalgar - reaping numerous global industry and consumer awards, successfully launching our new CostSaver brand in the marketplace and achieving an industry-leading average guest satisfaction rate of 97 per cent according to Feefo.

“It’s my job now to build on that, to ensure that more and more UK travellers experience our award-winning holidays and that more agents and wholesalers benefit from being our partners.”

Hilton will start her new role on October 3rd 2016.