Virgin Holidays has hired Amber Kirby to lead its 35-strong marketing team as marketing and customer experience director.
Kirby has previously held senior marketing roles at P&G, including senior brand portfolio leader for Oral-B, and has been hired directly from Walgreens Boots Alliance where she was global brand and marketing director, leading the launch of new global skincare brands.
She will report directly to Virgin Holidays managing director Joe Thompson with a remit to achieve core business objectives, including improving the overall customer journey through launching an enhanced loyalty proposition and accelerating the evolution of an inspirational digital experience.
Her team is responsible for full-service marketing with responsibility for customer experience, brand and campaigns, trading and retail marketing and creative and design – and Kirby is one of five company directors forming the Virgin Holidays leadership team.
Thompson commented: “Virgin Holidays is a business going from strength to strength – we have had a prolonged run of record profit, we’ve grown our share of the market, our already-healthy customer scores are improving and we have a highly engaged team that is passionate about creating amazing holiday experiences.
“Amber is the best possible candidate to lead the Virgin Holidays marketing team on the next phase of our journey.”
Kirby’s appointment is bolstered by the recent arrival of Hai Bei Chen as head of brand, campaigns and reputation, who joins from the Automobile Association where she was Head of media and marketing effectiveness.
Kirby commented: “I’m really excited about continuing to grow a much-loved British brand with an award-winning in-house team, while simultaneously tackling other business priorities such as a loyalty initiative and improving the digital experience.”