Kathryn Coles to leave Simpson Travel after restructure

Simpson Travel’s head of sales Kathryn Coles is leaving the business following a company restructure.

Coles joined in January 2019, initially as head of trade sales, but was quickly promoted to head of sales. At the time, her appointment signalled the villa and boutique hotel operator’s push to grow sales through the trade.

Her departure comes following a restructure of the sales team in light of the impact of Covid-19, the company’s managing director Graham Horner said. The sales team will now report directly to Mathew Simpson.

Horner added: “Following a restructure of the sales team in light of Covid, Kathryn Coles will sadly be leaving Simpson. She has done an amazing job steering the business through the crisis and will be greatly missed.

“Going forward sales will go back to directly reporting to product director Mathew Simpson. This move does not change Simpson’s commitment to agents and selling our holidays through the trade.”

Simpson Travel said it was looking to “deepen” its partnership with agents as the business recovers from the pandemic.

Horner also said that in a bid to offer greater flexibility, the company was reducing its flight-inclusive packages. He said the move would suit clients who were opting to choose and book their own flights.

As a result, Simpson Travel will now pay commission only on the accommodation element of bookings.

Horner added: “We will still book flights as a service if required for most destinations, but this will not be commissionable.”