Crystal, the leader in exceptional cruise experiences, has announced the appointment of Michael Young-Richards in the newly-created role of Key Account Manager UK & Eire. Young-Richards, who starts at Crystal on Monday 2nd February, will be an instrumental addition to the team, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise that will enable the company to further support its trade partners and achieve strategic growth in the UK.
Young-Richards joins from Celebrity Cruises where he most recently spent five years as a strategic account manager, as well as two years as a regional sales manager. He has also held positions with Do Something Different, Kuoni and TUI UK. With eight years’ experience in the cruise industry and nearly 28 years’ experience in travel, Young-Richards has an in-depth understanding of the industry and a proven track record of driving sales growth, enhancing operational efficiency and maximizing profits.
Within his new role Young-Richards will be instrumental in driving trade sales performance and expanding the market presence of Crystal across the UK. Reporting to Luke Smith, Crystal’s Vice President, Trade Sales UK & EMEA, he will be responsible for the strategic plans and performance of a broad portfolio of accounts of varying sizes based across the UK, while also identifying additional revenue opportunities and contributing to the overall success of the UK market.
Luke Smith comments: “Michael joins at an exciting time with Crystal Grace, our first ocean new build for the brand in 25 years going on sale soon, as well as several new agent-first initiatives on the horizon. I’m delighted to welcome him to the team and am confident that his knowledge, experience and impressive track record will prove invaluable as we continue to expand our sales presence within this important market.”
Michael Young-Richards adds: “Having followed Crystal’s journey over the last few years, I am excited to be joining the team and contributing to the ongoing growth of the business. I look forward to reconnecting with travel advisors across the UK and Ireland and working closely with them to unlock new opportunities and drive shared success.”
For more information visit www.crystalcruises.com
