Ambassador Cruise Line has appointed Fraser Montgomery as its chief financial officer.
A chartered accountant by trade, he has more than 30 years’ experience as a finance and business executive.
Montgomery joins the business from LGH Hotels Management, where he was CFO for the property investment and hotel management company which runs 55 hotels across the UK.
Before LGH, he held several finance and business executive positions at companies such as Marks & Spencer, Merlin Entertainments and recruitment firm PageGroup.
His appointment follows the departure of Ambassador’s former CFO, Matthias Seegers, earlier this year.
Montgomery will take over responsibilities from Simon Weeks, Ambassador’s chief administrative officer who has been operating as CFO on an interim basis over recent months.
He said: “Now into its second year of operation, the company has already established a formidable reputation as a quality cruise operator focussed on providing outstanding premium value.
“It’s an exciting time to be joining the executive team, and I am looking forward to further defining the company’s financial plan and expanding the strategic finance function as we build further on the Ambassador Cruise Line proposition.”
Christian Verhounig, chief executive at Ambassador Cruise Line, added: “With experience under multiple private equity ownership environments in international organisations, he is a welcome addition to our executive team.
“His expertise from both within and outside the travel and tourism sector will be a real asset to our business as we look to further accelerate Ambassador’s ambitious growth and development plans.”
The appointment came as Ambassador made its debut in Bristol as the line expanded its UK regional departure points.
Latest ship Ambition embarked on an 11-night British Isles itinerary in the first of six sailings this season from the west country port expected to attract 7,440 passengers.
The line plans seven calls to Bristol’s Royal Portbury Dock next year out of a total of 18.