P&O Cruises’ vice-president brand and product, Robert Scott, is to take on an expanded role of vice-president brand, marketing and sales from May 24 – including a responsibility for trade relations.
He steps up to the new role following the announcement last month that sales and marketing head Alex Delamere-White will be leaving the business at the end of May.
Scott will take on new additional responsibility for multi-channel guest communication and travel trade relations, and continue to report directly to president Paul Ludlow.
In five years at P&O Cruises, Scott has implemented a new brand strategy aimed at mainstream audiences, led the brand and on board experience strategy for new ships Iona and Arvia and was “instrumental” in delivering the partnership with Gary Barlow as musical director.
Scott was also Carnival UK’s lead on the Covid-19 ‘Return to Service’ programme, overseeing the coordination of the framework of health protocols which will be in place from the first UK coastal cruise in June this year. He is the Clia Executive Committee representative for Carnival UK.
He said: “This is a significant time for the travel industry and particularly the cruise sector, as we begin the initial phase of our return to service with the UK coastal cruises. The arrival of our two new ships for P&O Cruises in the next 18 months, Iona and Arvia, gives us huge scope to encourage a new audience to cruising and travel agents will play a critical role in this future growth.
“I am looking forward to playing a part in the recovery of the industry in the coming years, through listening to our guests, working closely with our travel agent partners and continued investment in our ships.”
President Paul Ludlow added: “Robert’s varied and proven sales and marketing expertise will stand us in good stead as we embark on our resumption of sailing at this milestone time for the industry as whole.
“His experience with blue chip companies will ensure that hand in hand with our agent partners we will create stand out communication and strong commercial partnerships for our mutual benefit.”
Scott has more than two decades of consumer and marketing experience for brands including the National Lottery, T-Mobile, EE and Cable & Wireless.