Explore Worldwide has announced key leadership promotions, with Rachael Stone and Carmel Hendry stepping into senior product roles.
- Rachael Stone is appointed as the new product director, following the departure of Simon Grove in June.
- Having served as head of product for two years, Stone brings 20 years of experience in adventure travel to her new role.
- Carmel Hendry is promoted to head of product, succeeding Stone and bringing a wealth of experience from her previous roles.
- These appointments highlight Explore Worldwide’s commitment to innovative, immersive, and sustainable travel experiences.
Explore Worldwide, a leader in adventure travel, has recently made significant leadership changes by appointing Rachael Stone as the new product director and Carmel Hendry as the new head of product. These promotions follow the departure of former product director Simon Grove in June, marking a new chapter for the company’s leadership structure.
Rachael Stone, who has adeptly handled the role of head of product for the past two years, brings a formidable 20-year track record in the travel industry. Her extensive experience is particularly rooted in the small group adventure travel sector, where she has previously excelled as a tour leader in South America and as an expedition guide in Antarctica. Stone expressed her enthusiasm for joining the senior leadership team and is keen on advancing Explore’s product strategies with a strong focus on sustainability.
Carmel Hendry, stepping into the role of head of product, has been a part of Explore Worldwide for eight years and previously held the position of Americas programme manager since 2022. Before joining Explore, Hendry was with Charity Challenge, where she was instrumental in developing new tours as a senior operations manager. In her new role, Hendry looks forward to broadening her horizons globally and contributing to Explore’s ambitions of achieving growth while working with a passionate product team.
Managing director Michael Edwards praised the strength of the new product team, highlighting the recent launches of several upgraded tours and new destinations. He emphasised the importance of having a robust team at the helm to maintain the company’s reputation for creating exceptional travel experiences. These strategic changes embody Explore Worldwide’s vision to remain at the forefront of the adventure travel market.
These strategic appointments underscore Explore Worldwide’s dedication to leadership that prioritises sustainable and innovative travel.
