Panache Cruises has recruited eight staff after dnata Travel Group announced plans to close down its consumer brands Travel Republic and Netflights.
Dnata Travel Group confirmed last month it had reached an agreement with Spanish online travel agency Destinia for the asset sale of the two brands.
James Cole, founder and Chief Executive of the luxury cruise retailer, said he hadn’t been actively recruiting, but with Leyland-based dnata Travel Group’s head office just a few miles from Panache’s Chorley office, he decided to host an open day for their staff.
James said the recruitment drive reflected a “significant six-figure investment” and would enable the company to bring forward its international expansion plans.
The new additions, who have more than 150 years’ experience between them, include Head of Sales Luke Roberts, Partnerships Manager John Poulton, Senior Graphic Designer Darren Woodcock, Head of TV and Content Amanda Parker, Content and Website Manager Vicky McNeil, Partnerships Manager Ryan Norman, CRM Manager Wayne Pashley and Partnerships Executive Lauren Joyner.
James said: “The travel industry is very close-knit and dnata Travel Group is only based a few miles away in Leyland, so we quickly became aware of their plans to close Travel Republic and Netflights.
“My first thought was for the people who may lose their jobs. Then I realised there were going to be some good people looking for roles so I made contact to see how we could help and it snowballed from there.”
The news comes after Panache agreed a £2.75m refinance package with HSBC UK. Panache Cruises has grown turnover by 64% to £43m in the last 12 months – and is on track to reach £50m in revenue by the end of the financial year in May 2026.
Separately, Sarah Allen has joined from Morson Group as People and Culture Director, and it follows the appointment of Scenic and Emerald’s Wendi Hardy earlier in the month as Events and Customer Loyalty Manager after nine years at Scenic and Emerald Cruises.
James added: “We’ve got ambitious plans to grow our sales in the US and establish a presence in both Australia and Canada. These 10 new hires will speed up that process.”
