Sykes Holiday Cottages appoints new property recruitment commercial director

Harrier Kerr spent 12 years in business development at STA Travel

Sykes Holiday Cottages has expanded its property recruitment team with the appointment of Harriet Kerr as commercial director.

Kerr comes from work abroad firm British Universities North America Club (Bunac), joining the holiday rental agency’s commercial division, which is led by chief operating officer Bev Dumbleton.

Aside from a tenure as Bunac’s commercial director, Kerr spent 12 years working in business development at STA Travel, where she was responsible for new business within the B2B, business travel and group travel sectors.

Sykes said Kerr’s role will see her lead the company’s 100-strong property recruitment team, and that her appointment supports Sykes’ ambitious growth strategy.

Kerr said: “Given its huge surge in popularity among holidaymakers, this is an exciting time to be making the jump into the staycation sector and I’m looking forward to playing a part in promoting everything there is to see and do close to home.”

Dumbleton added: “More and more people are buying holiday homes here in the UK now and approaching us to maximise the income that these properties can provide.

“Harriet brings a wealth of business development and travel industry experience to the team. I’m sure she will help us hit our 20,000 holiday home milestone by 2020, so we can continue to provide travellers with the best British breaks.”