Kensington Realigns Executive Team

Image: From left to right: D’Arcy Delamere, Jeff Kwan, Michelle Small, Helen Giontsis, Matt Cammaert, Shawn Boyd, Daniel Finkel. (Photo Credit: Kensington)
Image: From left to right: D’Arcy Delamere, Jeff Kwan, Michelle Small, Helen Giontsis, Matt Cammaert, Shawn Boyd, Daniel Finkel. (Photo Credit: Kensington)
Patrick Clarke
by Patrick Clarke
Last updated: 11:45 AM ET, Thu October 3, 2024

WHY IT RATES: The new leadership structure comes amid a rebrand of the company's core businesses.—Patrick Clarke, TravelPulse Senior Editor


Kensington, a global leader in luxury, custom, private guided travel, has announced the realignment of its executive team as well as the rebranding of its core businesses. This strategic change also reflects the recent decentralization of its parent company, Navigatr Group, fulfilling its objective to enable each of its travel companies to operate independently.

As part of this transformation, Kensington will be the main brand offering several sub-brands featuring a portfolio of luxury experiences.  This includes Kensington Tours, Kensington Villas, Kensington Cruise, Kensington Air, and Kensington Private Jet, with plans to explore additional categories in luxury travel. This forward-thinking approach positions Kensington for continued growth and innovation, reinforcing its leadership in the ever-evolving luxury travel sector.

These developments reflect the company's commitment to delivering curated, high-end travel experiences for discerning clients and travel advisors around the globe. Helen Giontsis, who has been with Kensington Tours since 2018 serving as President since 2021, has assembled a dynamic and experienced executive team to drive the company's vision forward. The new team includes several key appointments:

  • D'Arcy Delamere, Executive Vice President, Sales
  • Matt Cammaert, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Outside Sales
  • Daniel Finkel, Senior Vice President Product & Procurement
  • Shawn Boyd, Vice President, Technology
  • Michelle Small, Vice President, Human Resources
  • Jeff Kwan, Vice President, Finance

Under the continued leadership of Marc Moore, Vice President of Agency Sales, Kensington's Outside Sales team has doubled over the past four months, reflecting its strong commitment to the agent channel and ongoing investment in its growth.

Kensington has emerged as a premier global luxury tour operator, offering tailor-made bespoke travel experiences across all seven continents, in over 120 countries. With its team of destination experts, the company crafts personalized journeys that cater to the unique interests and preferences of each traveler, ensuring unforgettable experiences and seamless travel arrangements.

Among the exclusive brands and product categories offered under the Kensington umbrella are:

  • Kensington Tours: The core brand focusing on the creation and execution of customized luxury itineraries with private guided tours curated by Destination Experts.
  • Kensington Cruise: In collaboration with the leading luxury cruise lines, Kensington Cruise ensures a seamless travel experience from ship to shore, with fully customized pre- and post-cruise touring options. Also includes launching exclusive private guided shore excursions designed to complement cruise itineraries in over 200 ports throughout the world.
  • Kensington Villas: This private villa portfolio is designed for travelers seeking ultimate privacy combined with tailor-made itineraries, providing a unique blend of seclusion and personalized luxury.
  • Kensington Air: A dedicated brand and team booking commercial air.
  • Kensington Private Jet: An enhanced new division to book private jets.

Kensington has a long history of investing time in fundraising and volunteer efforts.  As well as donating over one percent of annual sales to charitable and non-profit organizations and offering clients an opportunity to match that donation with an option to add one percent of their trip price to their payment to double the impact of their trip. Donations are allocated to drive meaningful change in communities around the world through support for select charitable partners. These include the Mara West Foundation in Kenya, Nekton, Giants of Africa, and the Legacy of War Foundation.

"This is an exciting time for Kensington,” said Helen Giontsis, President of Kensington.  “The decentralization of our parent company has given us additional autonomy to tailor our strategies to better meet the needs of our discerning clients as well as our travel advisor partners. Our new executive team brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise, positioning us to continue providing unparalleled luxury travel experiences."

Other companies within Navigatr Group – each with its own executive leadership and operated independently – include Ensemble, a modern boutique luxury travel agency consortium; Travel Edge Network, a luxury host agency; Travel Edge Vacations and Travel Edge Corporate; and TripArc, a travel technology company.

For more information about Kensington and its offerings, please visit www.kensingtontours.com


SOURCE: Kensington press release. 


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Patrick Clarke

Patrick Clarke

Senior Editor

A Maryland native and wanderer who has lived across the U.S. from North Carolina to SoCal, Patrick Clarke graduated from Towson University with a B.S. in journalism. He previously worked for Bleacher

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