Who We Are
Who We Are
We're Saranta Associates
When we launched Saranta Associates in 2018, we felt representation should, and could, be done differently. We were determined to bring back the personal touch and deliver our deep understanding of product in a fun and personable way that would speak to anyone selling or arranging luxury travel for High Net Worth clients.
Building on our existing knowledge and relationships we’ve steadily gathered a stable of fantastic, independently owned properties worldwide, often launching a new property or destination to market.
We genuinely love working together and feel our complementary skill sets and personalities have been the cornerstone to our success, especially through the Covid pandemic where, despite significant industry challenges, Saranta went from strength to strength. As a testament to this, in early 2022 we were over the moon to welcome David Bruce into the Saranta family as a Director. His experience, knowledge and charisma bringing even more diversity to our offering.
Sally Marchant
Director
Pro Networker | Calm and Convincing | Poise Personified
One of luxury travel’s A-listers, Sally Marchant uniquely combines a contagious enthusiasm and positive energy with a calm focus, determination and sheer drive to achieve results for Saranta’s clients. She invented the term ‘going the extra mile’ and her exceptional industry relationships and reputation are second to none.
Sal’s worked in travel for over 20 years across both the industry and the globe bringing her cool as a cucumber professional know-how to sought-after resorts, private villas, and luxury hotel chains to name but a few.
Not only has she represented some of the world’s most prestigious travel brands in locations including Africa, Asia and the USA, Sally’s also a seasoned expert in successfully launching and establishing new luxury properties.
She thrives on a challenge and her wealth of hands-on industry experience gives her what we believe are super powers in understanding the unique challenges of the luxury travel sector, as well as an innate understanding of luxury product. Whether she’s managing a team, strategising to increase sales revenue or mingling at key industry events, Sally has an ability to know exactly what’s needed and makes it happen.
David Bruce
Director
Encyclopaedic Knowledge | Inspiring Communicator | Pure Irish Charm
Straight after University, David set off with a one-way ticket to Bangkok telling his family he would be home for Christmas – he just didn’t say which one! Two and a half years later he finally returned home after an unforgettable journey through South East Asia. Turning a passion into a career then seemed a natural progression.
Initially a senior member of the product team at one of the UK’s largest leading tour operators, David developed their bespoke touring programme, which remains industry-leading to this day.
Subsequently, he has spent the last 8 years representing some of the most innovative luxury travel product in the world, launching them across the European market and firmly establishing their presence in the luxury travel sector.
A strategically driven salesperson with superb personal contacts across the industry, David’s reputation for detailed product and destination knowledge is exceptional. His experience and knowledge encompasses every continent and a huge variety of guest-experiences – from DMCs, boutique hotels and resorts, to wellness, luxury leisure and everything in between.
Mark Renshaw
Director
Seasoned Globetrotter | Top-Notch Salesman | Fabulously Personable
Mark has successfully turned his early passion for travel into a career now spanning over 20 years, living and working in both the UK and overseas. His first job saw him sailing the seven seas aboard the legendary QE2 (as a silver service waiter, not a guest) which gave him a considerable head start in the ‘who’s visited the most countries’ stakes.
Since then, Mark has enjoyed success in a number of key sales roles with some of the UK’s leading luxury tour operators, including managing a retail travel agency in a renowned London department store.
A natural communicator, Mark has a wealth of personal contacts across all sectors of the industry, and since moving into hotel representation, he has a proven track record of launching luxury hotel products around the world to the UK and European travel trade.
Having worked in both luxury tour operations and hotel sales and marketing, Mark has an in-depth understanding of the needs of partners on both sides of the business. A dedicated salesperson (one of the best, it has been said), he brings humour, charm and his A-game to seeking out the best opportunities for hotel clients.
And for the record, he’s been to 180 countries (and counting).
Diana Cherry
Communications & Trade Consultant
Knows Everybody | Fuelled by Green Tea | Can Sell Ice to Eskimos
The term ‘people person’ was invented for Di Cherry. Nobody is easier to talk to or work with …and we should know because we work (and speak) with her every day!
Her ever-cheery, relaxed demeanour, energy and sense of humour belies her seriously ambitious work ethic, strategic instinct and real commercial savvy.
Not only does Di have a background in marketing communications and branding, her 20 years’ experience working in the travel industry (more than half of them spent in the uber luxury sector) have been spent creating and building a market-leading Private Travel company, and then subsequently starting and currently running her own Private Travel consultancy, closely working with some of the world’s most prestigious luxury brands and high-profile clients. She therefore brings an ongoing, deep understanding of the needs of global high-end travel sales which fuels Saranta’s ‘hands-on’ and insightful approach today.
Her in-depth experience of luxury villas, high-end experiential travel and the premium wellness sector, as well as city hotels, resorts and private islands reinforce Saranta’s understanding of the ‘big picture’ global luxury travel industry.
In addition, Di also managed world-class luxury properties at a senior level, bringing a deep understanding of luxury travel operations to the Saranta stable.
Claire Griffiths
Associate Director
Determined | Solution Seeker | Oozes Positivity
Claire has a wealth of luxury sales expertise, spanning over 20 years working for UK leading luxury tour operators and 5* hotels, and has an impressive track record for building strong partnerships across travel sector with her sunny disposition.
Claire is passionate about luxury travel and thrives on product knowledge and bringing a story to life. Having sold luxury holidays globally, Claire’s specialist area is Europe.
With over 10 years in sales and marketing for luxury hotels in Greece, along with successfully launching a new premium hotel brand into the UK market, Claire’s enthusiasm, drive and tenacity, ensure she always goes above and beyond to ensure a business has the opportunity to perform to their strengthens and she will be right by your side in any challenge.
Sally is an exceptionally well rounded, talented professional who maintained excellent client business relationships, grew business many fold, grasped the marketing of several product groups appealing to different segments of the travel trade, was diligent, transparent and above all a person of high integrity. I would recommend her very highly.
Subhash ThakerFormer Vice President Sales and Marketing - UK & EuropeTaj Hotels
Diana is one of the most liked and respected people in travel. I can happily vouch for her outstanding product knowledge and enviable network - her support has been vital to the development of my own business. If I could ask only one person in this industry for advice, Di would be that person.
Rosamund King360 Private Travel Partner
David is the best! I have been working with him for the last ten years and he has always been so supportive of my clients and my business. He goes above and beyond for every booking I send to one of his clients and I trust him implicitly. I don't know what I would do without him.