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Fred. Olsen wishes ‘Bon voyage!’ to industry stalwart Mike Rodwell after over 30 years

Press release -

Fred. Olsen wishes ‘Bon voyage!’ to industry stalwart Mike Rodwell after over 30 years

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Managing Director, Mike Rodwell, retired officially on 31st August 2019, after 15 years in the role and 31 years with the Fred. Olsen companies.

Mike’s successor as Managing Director, Peter Deer – previously Commercial Director – took up his new role on 1st September 2019.

Mike has worked across a number of the Fred. Olsen businesses since he joined the group in 1987, with his first role as accountant for Fred. Olsen’s first-ever designated cruise ship, Black Prince.

Following this initial role, Mike spent four years as Financial Controller for Fred. Olsen Travel, before a brief period as Financial and Commercial Manager for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, from September 1994 to November 1995.

It was then that Mike became Commercial Director, a role that he held for eight-and-a-half years, before he was promoted to Managing Director of the cruise line in 2004.

Mike Rodwell said:

“I would like to thank all of the many people whom, perhaps without even realising, have made my long career with Fred. Olsen such an enjoyable one.

“Over the years, I have worked in a number of varied roles at Fred. Olsen and have seen the Cruise Lines enterprise grow from humble beginnings, with only one ship, to the hugely successful operation that it is now, with four ocean ships, our new river ship Brabant and a customer base that continues to expand, despite the market being more competitive than ever.

“I will look back at those 30-plus years with immense pride in all that we have achieved together, and I know that I will miss it.”

Fred. Olsen Jnr, Chairman of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:

“Mike has been an integral part of the success of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines for the last 30 years. In his time as Managing Director, he has been key in developing our unique style of cruising, which has placed us in such a strong position for the future growth of the business.

“Having worked very closely with Mike over the years, I will miss his wise counsel and good humour. Everyone at Fred. Olsen wishes him the very best for the next stage of his life.”

Peter Deer, new Managing Director of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:

“I am extremely grateful to Mike for his invaluable advice and support over the many years that we have worked together, and I wish him an enjoyable and well-deserved retirement.

“I am proud to be taking the helm of our passionate, multi-award-winning cruise line, on the next leg of our historic journey. I am inheriting a first-class team, both on board and ashore, dedicated to providing unforgettable holidays across our fleet of friendlier, smaller ships.

"The UK cruise market will continue to grow, as many more people try ‘taster’ cruises for the first time and realise that cruising offers a diverse range of experiences.

“We, at Fred. Olsen, feel that we are in an ideal position to be able to offer this kind of immersive experience, bringing the world 'closer' to our guests, well into the future."

A replacement Commercial Director is currently being sought.

Photo caption:

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ outgoing Managing Director, Mike Rodwell (centre), congratulates his successor Peter Deer (third from left), accompanied by Sigurd Tveito – Fleet Manager, Fred. Olsen Cruise Technical (far left), Clare Ward – Director of Product and Customer Service (second from left), Jackie Martin – Sales and Marketing Director, Thomas Rennesland – Hotel Operations Director (second from right), and Stuart Ferguson – Head of Quality & Resource.

For further information on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, visit the website at www.fredolsencruises.com

Topics

Regions


Fred. Olsen Cruise Line operates in the UK with four intimately sized ships for a more personal cruising experience.

Contacts

Ellis Orchard

Ellis Orchard

Press contact Public Relations Manager Public Relations 07557672265
Georgina May

Georgina May

Press contact Public Relations Executive Public Relations
Lauren Gardner

Lauren Gardner

Press contact Public Relations Manager Public Relations 07546807099

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

At Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines we are very proud of our smaller ships – Bolette, Borealis and Balmoral - and the imaginative and unusual itineraries they allow us to offer. Every cruise is hand-crafted from scratch by our team of in-house Journey Planners to make sure you are not only visiting the best destinations, but at the best time to experience them.

For us, it’s not just about where we go but how we take you there. We put as much time into planning scenic cruising as we do in choosing the destinations themselves. On board, our Signature Experiences showcase the history, culture, nature and flavours of the destinations you’ll visit – from Treats of the Region, where you can enjoy local delicacies, to our Sky at Sea star-gazing sessions where you can relax with a hot toddy out on deck while our astronomer talks you through the night sky.

Plus, with each ship carrying 1,300 guests or less, our ships are small enough for us to offer a warm, friendly and personal service where nothing is ever too much trouble, as we visit a host of exciting ports in every corner of the globe.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Fred. Olsen House, White House Road
IP1 5LL Ipswich, Suffolk
United Kingdom