Seabourn president Pam Conover is standing down after declining a head office move from Miami to Holland America Line’s Seattle office.
She will serve as special advisor and brand ambassador for the luxury Carnival Corporation brand. Seabourn sales and marketing senior vice president Richard Meadows will assume the presidency once the move to Seattle is complete.
He will also continue in his role as executive vice president of marketing, sales and guest programmes for HAL.
Seabourn and HAL will maintain independent brand management teams at joint headquarters in Seattle as a part of a cost cutting reorganisation plan.
Annual savings of up to $25 million are forecast from 2012 through shared resources including a unified field sales force and ‘state of the art’ technology platforms. The switch from Miami to Seattle will take place over the next few months.
Conover will continue to serve in her role during a transition period but has chosen not to move to Seattle at this time, Carnival said.
Carnival chairman and chief executive Micky Arison said: “Seabourn’s move to Seattle will allow this great brand to further prosper through the natural efficiencies realised from sharing technology and support services with Holland America Line.
“Once the transition is completed and the synergies are fully realized, we estimate annual savings starting in 2012 in the $20 to $25 million range.”
He added: “Pam has played a valuable role in a number of Carnival ventures over her 16 year career here, including serving as president of Cunard and most recently Seabourn.
“She has been instrumental in Seabourn’s recent growth with the launch of two new ships and recognition through numerous awards for best luxury cruise line.
“Rick is uniquely qualified to oversee Seabourn’s further progress in its new headquarters. Carnival is proud of the Seabourn brand, whose name evokes the very best the cruise industry offers.”