Ambassador Cruise Line Chief Commercial Officer Phil Gardner is to leave the company, two years after joining.
Phil said the time is now right to move on, after helping shape the commercial and distribution departments of the brand, which launched in 2021.
CEO Christian Verhounig said: “Phil has been influential in driving and shaping our commercial structure and strategy. It was always planned that he would move on from the business when the time was right, leaving us with a solid team who are focussed on building on the platforms his experience and expertise have brought to the CCO role.
“During Phil’s time with the business, we have established a strong new cruise brand with a clear marketing proposition, launched two new ships to market, strengthened our inventory management capabilities and significantly enhanced our distribution and digital proposition.
“More recently, we have made a very strong start to the 25/26 season with triple figure sales growth year-on-year mainly driven by trade, and we have made and will continue to make additional investments into trade distribution and the wider Ambassador trade team as we look to build on our success moving forwards.
“We extend our sincere appreciation to Phil for the passion and energy he brought to the role during his tenure, and we wish him the very best in his future endeavours.”
Following his departure, Head of Distribution Nicola Haper and Head of Inventory and Trading Dave Eastwood will report to Chief Administrative Officer Simon Weeks.
Chief Marketing Officer Gordon Nardini will report to Christian Verhounig directly.
Phil said: “I have found my time with Ambassador to be hugely rewarding. Within the commercial team, we have established a strong new brand, launched two new ships to market, introduced automated yield tools and significantly enhanced our distribution and digital proposition.
“Now is therefore the time to introduce a new structure to take this forward and build on the strong foundations we’ve built to further the success of the business. I know I leave with the business in great shape and wish everyone involved with Ambassador the greatest success, be it our valued guests, internal teams or external partners.
“I know that Ambassador has a great future ahead and look forward to watching the business flourish in the years to come.”
He said he wants to spend time with his family, take some time off over the summer before ‘seeking a new role at the end of the year’.
Phil added: “These opportunities don’t come along in life very often and I am therefore very grateful to the business for helping facilitate this for the coming months.”
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Phil said the time is now right to move on, after helping shape the commercial and distribution departments of the brand, which launched in 2021.
CEO Christian Verhounig said: “Phil has been influential in driving and shaping our commercial structure and strategy. It was always planned that he would move on from the business when the time was right, leaving us with a solid team who are focussed on building on the platforms his experience and expertise have brought to the CCO role.
“During Phil’s time with the business, we have established a strong new cruise brand with a clear marketing proposition, launched two new ships to market, strengthened our inventory management capabilities and significantly enhanced our distribution and digital proposition.
“More recently, we have made a very strong start to the 25/26 season with triple figure sales growth year-on-year mainly driven by trade, and we have made and will continue to make additional investments into trade distribution and the wider Ambassador trade team as we look to build on our success moving forwards.
“We extend our sincere appreciation to Phil for the passion and energy he brought to the role during his tenure, and we wish him the very best in his future endeavours.”
Following his departure, Head of Distribution Nicola Haper and Head of Inventory and Trading Dave Eastwood will report to Chief Administrative Officer Simon Weeks.
Chief Marketing Officer Gordon Nardini will report to Christian Verhounig directly.
Phil said: “I have found my time with Ambassador to be hugely rewarding. Within the commercial team, we have established a strong new brand, launched two new ships to market, introduced automated yield tools and significantly enhanced our distribution and digital proposition.
“Now is therefore the time to introduce a new structure to take this forward and build on the strong foundations we’ve built to further the success of the business. I know I leave with the business in great shape and wish everyone involved with Ambassador the greatest success, be it our valued guests, internal teams or external partners.
“I know that Ambassador has a great future ahead and look forward to watching the business flourish in the years to come.”
He said he wants to spend time with his family, take some time off over the summer before ‘seeking a new role at the end of the year’.
Phil added: “These opportunities don’t come along in life very often and I am therefore very grateful to the business for helping facilitate this for the coming months.”
The post Phil Gardner to leave Ambassador Cruise Line appeared first on Travel Gossip.
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