Real Response Media, publisher of World of Cruising and Cruise Trade News, has announced the appointment of Jon Knight as senior commercial manager.
Knight joins from Riverside Luxury Cruises, where he was head of sales UK and Ireland. In that role, he held responsibility for the luxury river cruise line’s commercial growth across the UK and Ireland. He began his career as leisure key account manager for von Essen Hotels, and has also held roles with Silversea and AmaWaterways.
In his new role, Knight will lead the Cruise Challenge roadshow events, connecting travel agents with the latest cruise industry developments, key supplier partners and market intelligence. He will also focus on expanding the company’s training programme, helping agents strengthen their cruise expertise, improve customer engagement and ultimately grow cruise sales and bookings. This forms part of Cruise Trade News’ ongoing commitment to supporting agent development, industry education and commercial success across the cruise sector.
Chris Pitchford, founder and CEO of Real Response Media, said: “We are delighted to welcome Jon to the team. He brings a wealth of experience from a range of roles across the cruise sector, as well as a strong contact book of travel agents and operators. We are confident he is the right person to take the Cruise Challenge, and our commercial partnerships, to the next level.
“This is an exciting moment for Real Response Media. Our print and digital products are going from strength to strength, and our events portfolio continues to grow. Jon’s appointment underlines our commitment to building the team and business further.”
Commenting on his appointment, Knight said: “I am so excited to join the commercial team at Cruise Trade News and in running the highly successful Cruise Challenge events! With the commitment and passion I have for the cruise industry, I look forward to reaching out to more agents to help in any way I can to improve their cruise knowledge and confidence in selling cruise with a real focus on continuing to create many more engaging events and to ensure Cruise Challenge goes from strength to strength with events throughout the UK!”
Knight started on 22 June 2026.
Contact information
For partnerships and advertising opportunities, get in touch with the World of Cruising and Cruise Trade News commercial team:
Lina Slater – COO: lina.slater@worldofcruising.co.uk
David Ramsden – Head of Commercial: David.Ramsden@worldofcruising.co.uk
Abbie Downes – Senior Partnerships Manager: Abbie.Downes@worldofcruising.co.uk
Jon Knight – senior commercial manager: Jon.knight@cruisetradenews.com
Company background
Launched in 2011, Real Response Media is an award-winning B2B and B2C publisher and events organiser specialising in the cruise and aviation sectors.
The company operates six print magazines, three websites, a television programme and a portfolio of industry-leading events, including The Wave Awards, Cruise Stars Awards, Cruise Summit, Cruise Challenge, and the Predictive Aircraft Maintenance Conference.
