Center Parcs UK & Ireland has restructured its sales and marketing function at its Nottinghamshire headquarters following a decision by Chief Sales and Marketing Officer Colin Whaley to retire.
The company has created two Board-level roles, reporting to CEO Colin McKinlay.
Former TUI director Richard Sofer joined on 13 January as Chief Commercial Officer, and Merlin Entertainments UK and Europe Group Sales and Marketing Director Sara Holt will join as Chief Marketing Officer on 17 March.
“Under Colin Whaley’s 20-year leadership we have seen both significant brand and commercial growth. Colin’s decision to retire from Center Parcs gave us the opportunity to look at our structure in a slightly different way and review both the Marketing and Commercial functions as we move into the next exciting chapter for the business,” said Colin McKinlay.
“Both Richard and Sara bring extensive sector experience to Center Parcs and they will lead well-established and successful sales and marketing teams.
“I would like to thank Colin Whaley for over two decades of commitment and dedication which have helped us consistently achieve sector-leading commercial success and truly cemented our position as the leading family short break operator in both the UK and Ireland.”
It is expected that, after a handover period, Colin Whaley will leave by the end of April 2025.
