Following a ten-year career with niche cruise specialist Star Clippers, Danielle Bates has been promoted to head of trade sales.

In her new role she will lead a team of five regional- and office-based sales support staff and report to Fay McCormack, general manager of Star Clippers’ UK & Ireland operation.

Bates’ promotion from sales manager 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 Royal Clipper in 2000.

McCormack said: “Dani is much loved within the industry and has played a key part in developing our relationship with UK & Irish travel agents during the past ten years.

“As we prepare to welcome our long-awaited new ship, Flying Clipper, our relationship with agents is crucial to delivering more opportunities to sail on board these majestic ships than ever before.”

Bates’ new role as head of trade sales follows the recent expansion of the UK Star Clippers sales team (in January), 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.