Joy Woodside joins as group product and commercial manager to strengthen existing, and build new, relationships with the trade said Travel Village Group bosses Phil and Paula Nuttall, bringing significant retail, luxury, cruise and commercial skills to the group.

"Joy’s passion for travel is infectious, she is a leader and we are very excited to be working with her," said the duo.

Elliot Goldwater and Karen Hodgin, meanwhile, will support the Holiday Village’s home-based travel experts; Goldwater joins as training manager, bringing experience of homeworking to support new members.

He will work with Paula and Woodside to ensure the brand is able to accommodate the widest possible range of prospective new members, and ensure existing recruits continue to receive tailored business development support.

Hodgin joined the group from Thomas Cook and will now head up operations for the Holiday Village; her focuses will include improving customer communication and leading the brand’s care team to ensure it is delivering exceptional customer service to clients and home-based travel experts.

“We are extremely confident in the market returning strongly and it is quite clear people are looking to book their holidays with a travel agent," said Paula.

"Since the start of the pandemic, there has been a real surge in people wanting to join the Holiday Village recognising the success of our business. We have high standards and a proven record of nurturing great talent."

Phil added: "Our family is continuing to grow and the Travel Village Group, supported by the existing management team, has something to offer all travel professionals with a positive can do attitude, even in a pandemic."