Dominic Paul is to become Royal Caribbean Cruises’ vice-president and managing director for the UK and Ireland.
Currently chief operating officer at airline BMI, Paul will join the business in September 2010 filling the role vacated by Robin Shaw earlier this year when he left to oversee Saga’s cruise division.
Executive vice-president Michael Bayley said: “The UK and Irish markets are critical to our international success and Dominic’s track record in leading and shaping international businesses while delivering financial results reinforces this commitment.
“Dominic is well equipped to work with the existing team and complements the skills of UK and Ireland associate vice-president and general manager, Jo Rzymowska.
“We’re confident they will be a successful force in the UK and Ireland travel industry.”
Paul began his career on the British Airways graduate management programme in 1993.
He went on to be part of the start-up team that grew and sold Go Fly to easyJet, before joining BMI in 2007.
Paul will be based in the Weybridge office leading a team of 300.
He will also take on the business management of Independence of the Seas, the Royal Caribbean ship that is dedicated year-round to UK and Ireland sailings.
Paul said: “I am extremely excited to be joining such an innovative and dynamic organisation.
“The cruise sector has enormous growth potential and as a leading player within this market, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd is extremely well placed to take advantage of this growth.
“I am thoroughly looking forward to working with the team to aggressively and profitably grow the UK and Irish business.”