GOLD Medal Travel has announced a major shake-up that will commit it to working more closely with the trade.

New sections dedicated to the firm's trade-only Gold Medal division and direct-sell Airline Network division, will be created at the wholesaler's call centre. A new specialist division for groups and high-value first-class and business-class clients will also be created.

The company has launched a recruitment drive this week for three managers to head the new divisions as well as two sales managers to be based in Manchester and London. The board will be expanded with a new marketing director, and a yield manager will also be appointed. Managing director Terry Fisher said the move represents an investment of around £500,000 and sends out a strong message that Gold Medal is committed to the trade. "With my background as a travel agent I look at it from the perspective of what I would want from Gold Medal.