Since joining ROL Cruise as Head of Business Development in 2005, I have been incredibly proud to drive the company forward. Over the years, we have cultivated invaluable partnerships with leading cruise lines, developed exclusive tailor-made packages designed with our customers in mind, and assembled a team with over 1,000 years of combined travel industry experience. Seeing the growth of the company, our dedicated staff, and our commitment to bringing the best cruise experiences to our clients has been an immensely rewarding journey for me.
When Peter announced his retirement in 2014, I was honoured to take the reins as CEO, marking the beginning of a new chapter. As we celebrated our 20th anniversary the following year, we embraced the next phase of our journey, rebranding as ROL Cruise. In 2018, I stepped into the role of Chairman, appointing joint Managing Directors - a strategic decision that further strengthened our leadership team.
One of the most significant transitions in our history has been our recent move to an Employee Ownership Trust, ensuring that ROL Cruise remains in the hands of those who truly drive its success - our passionate and dedicated employees. In November 2024, selling the business to the employees made perfect sense to me. I remain available to lend my support if needed, but I have full confidence in the exceptional quality and expertise of our Board.
My proudest achievements
Reflecting on my time at ROL Cruise, I am particularly proud of a few key milestones. Introducing Cruise Miles®, our exclusive customer loyalty program, was a defining moment in our journey, giving our valued clients an innovative way to save on their cruise experiences.
Guiding the business through the global pandemic was another significant challenge, especially during a time when no cruises were departing. The resilience, determination and teamwork displayed by our staff during that period were truly remarkable. Despite the uncertainty, we remained committed to our customers, supporting them throughout.
And recover we did. The cruise industry has seen a powerful resurgence, with passenger numbers and demand reaching new heights. As a company, we’ve adapted and thrived, continuing to innovate and provide the very best.
Beyond commercial success, I am most proud of the culture we have built at ROL Cruise. Over my 20 years with the company, 15 of which I spent at the helm and 10 as overall owner, I have seen key individuals start from the bottom and rise to the top. The supportive and progressive environment we have nurtured has been instrumental in our success, ensuring that ROL remains a truly special place.
As I reflect, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to every staff member, past and present, for their contributions to our journey. Building this business has been an incredible experience, and I am confident that ROL Cruise, led superbly by Rosie, will go in only one direction, and that is emphatically up, up, up!
