Meet the Team:
Thomas's Story
Thomas Matthew Miles-Nell is the Co-Founder and CEO of Regal Escapes, where his background in advertising, brand strategy, and creative direction meets a deep passion for luxury travel. With almost a decade of experience in advertising, marketing and brand development, Matthew brings a sharp eye for storytelling, strong brand instincts, and a clear strategic focus to the business.
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His time in the travel industry, including at a leading global retail travel brand, shaped his understanding of what makes a journey feel effortless and well thought out. Having personally sailed on many of the cruise lines Regal Escapes represents, he brings genuine, first-hand insight into the world of luxury cruising.
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Matthew partners with top cruise lines, luxury hotels, and media teams to ensure Regal Escapes is positioned effectively within the luxury travel market. He leads collaborative efforts around events that showcase both Regal Escapes’ curated offerings and the products of its trusted partners, connecting with the most discerning travellers seeking exceptional experiences.
Alwin's Story
Alwin James Miles-Nell is a seasoned travel expert with over 30 years of experience in the industry, including 21 years dedicated to curating and selling travel, and 8 years working onboard cruise ships. His time spent at sea gives him a unique, first-hand perspective of the cruising world, which few travel agents can offer. This deep knowledge enables Alwin to provide clients with highly informed and tailored recommendations, particularly in the cruise sector.
As the co-founder and Sales Director of Regal Escapes and the visionary behind Abroad with Alwin, Alwin has built a reputation for delivering exceptional luxury travel experiences. Abroad with Alwin specialises in upmarket travel, focusing on securing exclusive Business and First-Class airfares and crafting bespoke itineraries for discerning clients. His personal cruising experience across many of the lines he represents further enhances his ability to provide valuable insights to travellers.
Throughout his career, Alwin has consistently demonstrated meticulous attention to detail, ensuring every aspect of his clients’ journeys is seamless and stress-free. His extensive industry connections grant him access to exclusive deals, insider tips, and unique travel opportunities that elevate each experience. Whether it's a luxury cruise, premium airfare, or a complex itinerary, Alwin’s expertise ensures unforgettable, high-end travel.
Chantelle's Story
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Chantelle Bend is the Brand Ambassador who brings a global outlook, warm professionalism, and a deep passion for travel to her role at Regal Escapes. With a background that includes extensive international travel, living abroad, and working on board luxury cruise ships, she offers valuable insight into the cruising lifestyle and the expectations of modern luxury travellers.
Chantelle’s earlier experience in education has shaped her attentive approach, calm communication style, and strong organisational skills - all of which now support her work in client engagement and brand representation.
As Brand Ambassador, Chantelle plays a key role in connecting clients with Regal Escapes’ signature high-end cruise offerings. She highlights the distinct benefits of small-ship luxury cruising, bespoke itineraries, and seamless travel planning - all delivered with precision and care.
Essildah's Story
Essildah Mlambo is a Regal Escapes Brand Ambassador who combines a calm, confident presence with a genuine passion for people and luxury travel. Drawing on extensive experience in customer relations, she brings an intuitive understanding of what discerning travellers value most: feeling seen, heard, and exceptionally well looked after.
Her background in client-facing roles has shaped her attentive listening skills and graceful communication style. Essildah is known for her ability to build trust quickly, anticipate needs, and create a warm, welcoming experience at every touchpoint.
As Brand Ambassador, Essildah plays a key role in connecting clients with Regal Escapes’ high-end cruise and travel portfolio. She highlights the benefits of intimate, luxury-focused journeys, personalised itineraries, and seamless end-to-end planning – always presented with elegance, clarity, and care.
Julies's Story
Julie Lane is one of our Luxury Travel Specialists, who is a seasoned travel professional with over 30 years of industry experience, including 17 years as a Corporate and Leisure Consultant at a leading global travel agency - 10 of which she spent managing an office while actively consulting.
As the founder of Serenity Lane Travel, Julie has earned a trusted reputation for delivering attentive, personalised service. Her business has grown largely through referrals and long-term client relationships, reflecting the care and consistency she brings to every journey. She specialises in SME and leisure travel, with many clients combining corporate trips with personal escapes for a seamless, tailored experience.
Julie’s long-standing industry connections give her access to exclusive fares, offers, and support, allowing her to consistently exceed expectations. She is deeply committed to building strong client relationships and providing responsive, high-touch service at every stage of the travel experience.