Virgin Hotels Collection unveils global sales team

Virgin Hotels Collection has created a global sales team made up of executives from Virgin Hotels and Virgin Limited Edition.

The team is being led by vice president of global sales Maya Latinovic, who was previously in the same position with Virgin Hotels.

Chief marketing officer Doug Carrillo said the new team is filled with a “dynamic ensemble of proven leaders”.

He added: “I’m confident they’ll continue to bring new ideas to the table and play pivotal roles in the brand’s ongoing success and expansion.”

Virgin Hotels Collection, the parent company of Virgin Hotels and Virgin Limited Edition, was formed in January with the aim of speeding up the expansion of the two brands and improving customer experience.

Latinovic, who was appointed vice president of global sales at Virgin Hotels in January 2022, has more than 20 years’ experience of leading sales strategies at global brands including EDITION Hotels and Preferred Hotels.

Virgin Hotels Collection said: “Latinovic brings her wealth of knowledge and keen business acumen to her latest position.

“She will bring her forward-thinking mindset to develop sales strategies and guide efforts across internal and cross-functional teams to drive incremental business for the hotel portfolio.”

Among the leisure leaders, Vanessa Rothery has been promoted to executive director of sales for Europe, the Middle East and Africa as well as the Asia-Pacific region. She worked with Virgin Limited Edition for two decades.

Shannon Byrne has become director of leisure sales for the Americas, having joined Virgin Hotels as area director of travel industry sales for the Americas in April 2022 following a career with Bvlgari Hotels.

Abigail Trangmar, meanwhile, is now director of sales, with responsibility for developing key trade partnerships from within Virgin Atlantic.

Virgin Hotels Collection said the leisure leaders will “strengthen the company’s foothold in crucial markets across the globe”.

Julia Grishkova has taken up the position of Virgin Hotels Collection’s director of group sales, having previously been in that post for Virgin Hotels.

Virgin Hotels Collection said Grishkova’s new role will see her lead group sales strategies across the brandwide portfolio, drawing on her experience of selling luxury for brands including Four Seasons, Armani and St. Regis.

Peter Delia, who brings more than a decade of sales experience from hospitality brands including Marriott Luxury and The Ritz-Carlton, will continue to lead corporate and entertainment efforts across the portfolio as director of corporate and entertainment sales.

Carrillo said: “With the establishment of Virgin Hotels Collection, I’m proud to celebrate the achievements of our incredible people as they grow within the new company.

“The global sales team is filled with a dynamic ensemble of proven leaders who exemplify Virgin’s commitment to transforming the luxury lifestyle and ultra-luxury hotel industries for the better.”