CARNIVAL Corporation has appointed veteran Princess Cruises executive Stuart Allison to a newly created role as Chief Commercial Officer for P&O Cruises in the United Kingdom (CW breaking news).
Allison, who is well-known to the Australian market, will begin his new role in Oct, which will see him report directly to Carnival United Kingdom and P&O Cruises UK President Paul Ludlow.
The move is among a number of structural changes at the company overnight, which will also see Holland America Line and Seabourn Cruise Line combine their sales teams under a new leader for the two brands in Australia.
Rob Coleman has been promoted to the new leadership role, with an eye to enhance trade partner support as Senior Vice President North America & Australia Sales.
Coleman continues to report to Holland America Chief Commercial Officer Beth Bodensteiner, while reporting into him from Australia will be Alex Pikardt, local Director of Sales for both cruise lines.
The new structure will also see Tara Schreiner promoted to Vice President National & Strategic Partnerships for both cruise lines, while Seabourn Vice President Sales & Trade Relations Steve Smotrys will leave the company in Sep.
Carnival Corp said it is yet to determine who will take Allison’s place atop Princess in Australia.
The cruise veteran has been based at the company’s Sydney office for many years, in various capacities, leading Princess both locally and in wider regions.
He currently holds the role of Senior Vice President Asia Pacific UK & Europe, and leads all commercial operations for Princess outside the US.
Commenting on the appointment, Ludlow said he is delighted to be welcoming Allison back to the UK, where he began his career with Carnival Corp more than 25 years ago.
“Stuart’s knowledge of and passion for our brands is going to be a huge asset to Carnival UK and he will be instrumental in our progress towards achieving our goals,” he said.
Allison said he is excited to be joining the P&O UK team at a time of such potential for the British cruise market.
“Whilst a record number of Brits cruised last year, there were tens of millions who chose other holidays,” Allison said. MS
“Working with the team and alongside all our partners, I’m confident that we have every opportunity to bring cruising to life for a wider audience and to reaffirm our position as Britain’s favourite cruise line.” MS