6 December 2017
CruiseBritain will welcome a new Chair, expanded Steering Group and new cruise line representative on 1st January 2018. James Stangroom, Bristol Port Company, will take the helm as Angie Redhead, Liverpool Cruise Terminal, steps down after nearly three years in the role.
In addition, the Steering Group which oversees and advises on CruiseBritain’s activities has been expanded to six ports and three service providers; this expansion reflects the organisation’s growing membership. James Langley, Director of Marine and Technical Operations at Saga Cruises, has accepted the invitation to become CruiseBritain’s cruise line representative.
New chair James Stangroom said, “CruiseBritain is thriving as a membership association which works to raise the profile of Britain as a cruise destination and to improve the cruise line and guest experience. I look forward to the challenge of building on the work that Angie has done during her nearly three-year spell as Chair as we take CruiseBritain forward over the next few years.”
Outgoing Chair, Angie Redhead commented “I feel privileged to have been Chair of Cruise Britain at a time when the UK cruise offer is stronger than ever, and our potential is at its greatest. Our UK ports & service providers are extremely pro-active and supportive and are led by a fantastically strong and committed Steering Group which ensures we all work collaboratively together to enhance our UK cruise offer. As the global cruise market continues to grow, we are confident that Britain’s appeal as a cruise destination will mirror that trend.
James’ appointment has the unanimous support of CruiseBritain’s Steering Group and I’m delighted to be handing the baton over to him although I am pleased to remain on the Steering Group; his experience in the cruise industry, plus the wider maritime business, will be of great value to CruiseBritain and James will undoubtedly continue to represent, invigorate and build on our great momentum during his time in post, enabling our organisation to continue to flourish. Huge congratulations, James!”
James has a degree in Maritime Business from Plymouth University and is a fellow with The Chartered Institute of Shipbrokers. He joined The Bristol Port Company in 2001 and has a wide commercial brief; James is responsible for a mixture of business development and commercial management covering a number of different trade areas including the breakbulk and container trades, warehousing and, of course, cruise.
James added, “As I step up to the role of Chair I look forward to working with the Steering Group and all of our members and colleagues internationally to continue to fly the flag for cruising to British ports and destinations.”
2017 has seen CruiseBritain working with industry colleagues through the newly formed global port network and other port associations, UK Border Force, ESPO’s Cruise & Ferry Port Network, the Chamber of Shipping and VisitBritain. Relationships with cruise lines have been strengthened through recent ‘on the road’ meetings and events aboard cruise ships in member ports around the country. CruiseBritain will be exhibiting at Seatrade Cruise Global in March 2018 and will be holding their annual networking event on the stand.
ENDS
Further information: Katherine Lovell, Bristol Port Company
E: katherine.lovell@bristolport.co.uk
www.cruisebritain.org