A cruise industry outsider has been named today as UK and Ireland managing director of Royal Caribbean International.
Stuart Leven (pictured) has a background in hotels and airlines including InterContinental Hotel Group, Thistle and Guoman Hotels, Choice Hotels Europe and KLM. He has been working in a management consultancy for the past five years.
He will work alongside Jo Rzymowska who will lead Celebrity Cruises in the UK and Ireland.
Both newly-created roles follow RCL Cruises creating three dedicated businesses for Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises in the region.
Additionally, Dominic Paul is taking on an expanded role as vice president, international, reporting directly to Royal Caribbean International president and chief executive Adam Goldstein.
Paul was previously responsible for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, He now adds Latin America, Asia Pacific and the Caribbean to his remit for Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises. He continues in his role as managing director of RCL Cruises.
Paul said: “We are evolving our business to be in the best possible position for future growth.
“Our new structure in the UK and Ireland, and the industry-leading management teams now taking shape, means that we can confidently deliver against the individual growth strategies of Royal Caribbean International, Azamara Club Cruises and Celebrity Cruises.
“We hope to be able to announce the new leadership role for Azamara Club Cruises very soon.”
The three cruise brands are recruiting for additional sales and marketing roles created by the move to dedicated teams for each line, which will be in place by January.