Just four years after appointing Fred. Olsen Travel as main UK agents, sales professional Natalie Ford has been appointed as National Sales Manager for award winning river cruise operator AmaWaterways. Natalie’s appointment enhances the Fred. Olsen Travel team further and comes as a result of the growth in sales and brand awareness of the luxury river cruise operator, AmaWaterways, the river cruise line said in a statement.

Ama’s UK General Manager Fay McCormack said “We’ve seen phenomenal growth in the AmaWaterways brand over the last four years. British guests have really taken to river cruising and enjoy the high standards that AmaWaterways offers. We’re delighted to have had such excellent support from the travel trade during this growth period. Natalie is known to many agents as a result of her career in cruise sales and we’re really pleased that she’s taken on the new role of National Sales Manager for AmaWaterways in the UK .”

Natalie started her travel career working as a travel agent for Lunn Poly (now Tui). She completed her NVQ and was promoted branch manager of the Beckenham store. After a six month sabbatical in Cyprus she spent 8 years working as a branch manager for Thomson at Canary Wharf , then became CCS Sales Executive, South East, working with key accounts within the cruise industry. Her most recent roles were as Business Development Manager for MSC, with specific responsibility for developing MSC’s agency sales, and Group Sales Manager for South Quay Travel, packaging holidays for groups and promoting Marco Polo and Ocean Countess.