Claire Stirrup has taken the next step up the career ladder at Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises has announced a raft of internal promotions that all reflect the hard work and commitment of the UK and Ireland senior leadership team in working with trade partners.

UK & Ireland managing director Jo Rzymowska adds Asia to her remit in the newly expanded role of vice president and managing director, UK and Ireland and Asia.

At the same time, Claire Stirrup is promoted to director of sales.

Plus, Kathy Barbrooke has been promoted to director of guest and trade services, UK & Ireland.

The new seniority of the UK and Ireland team coincides with confirmation that the global cruise line will have its largest ever UK and Ireland deployment in 2018 with ships offering cruises from both Southampton and Dublin in the summer months

The addition of Asia to Rzymowska’s enhanced vice president role will see the inclusion of China, Singapore, Hong Kong, India and Japan to her areas of responsibility, including a dedicated Celebrity Cruises team in Singapore.

Rzymowska explained: “Providing exceptional support to our trade partners is a key part of our business and I’m thrilled that two members of our team are being promoted in recognition for the key role they play in our success and growth.

“It is a pivotal time for our business as we expand our investment into the UK and Ireland with an increase in deployment, and achieve our strongest ever market performance.

“These milestones are testament to our incredible team and I’m passionate about continuing to build on these great achievements.

“From a personal point of view I am excited to work as part of our global business to realise the growth potential that Asia brings.

“We know that our modern luxury holidays resonate strongly in the Far East and I will be working with our Asia team to grow the number of guests from this region.”

Stirrup steps up to the director of sales role from January 1st, when Sarah Harraghy – currently commercial sales director – steps down.

Stirrup has been part of the Celebrity Cruises sales team since 2013, and was previously a commercial manager and regional sales manager for TUI.

Reporting to Rzymowska, she will lead the sales and business development team as well as a dedicated trade marketing and trade support function.

Barbrooke has led the guest and trade services team for five years and under her tenure the UK-based contact centre has achieved its highest ever levels of trade sales conversion and market-leading levels of trade satisfaction.

The promotion to director reflects the phenomenal results of the guest and trade services team under her leadership.

Prior to joining Celebrity Cruises, Barbrooke held a number of senior operations and customer service roles for AXA Insurance.

Celebrity Cruises has 12 modern luxury ships sailing to all seven continents delivering the finest craftsmanship, from the design of on-board spaces to the comfort of suites; an award winning creative approach to food and wine; and the most desirable in-destination experiences.

Celebrity Edge, the first in the new Edge class of ships, will join the fleet in late 2018.