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Geoff Ridgeon confirmed as Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines' new Head of Sales

Press release -

Geoff Ridgeon confirmed as Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines' new Head of Sales

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has confirmed the appointment of Geoff Ridgeon as its new Head of Sales, with effect from 7th May 2019. Reporting into Justin Stanton, Sales and Marketing Director, Geoff will take overall responsibility for managing Fred. Olsen’s UK Sales teams, as well as further developing relations with the travel trade.

Geoff has been Head of Cruise at Fred. Olsen Travel – also based in Ipswich, Suffolk – since 2011, and has fulfilled a number of roles over his 22-year career at Fred. Olsen, including Franchise Manager, Sales Manager – Star Clippers, and Reception Manager across the Fred. Olsen fleet.

Geoff will be following in the footsteps of Fred. Olsen stalwart Mike Evans, who has been Head of Sales at the cruise line since April 2017. Mike will be retiring on 26th April 2019, after an impressive 27-year career with Fred. Olsen.

Speaking of his new appointment, Geoff Ridgeon said:

“I am delighted to be taking on this exciting new challenge, and I look forward to bringing my 14 years of travel agency experience to Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, which will stand us in good stead in growing our relationships with the trade.

“Of course, I will be sad to leave Fred. Olsen Travel and GoCruise, where I have enjoyed a long and varied career, but I am thrilled to be joining another thriving part of the Fred. Olsen business. I would just like to pay tribute to all my colleagues and Managing Director, Steve Williams, for their valuable support over the years.

“I know that I have a big role to fulfil with Mike Evans retiring, but he leaves Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines in a very strong position. I look forward to working with the trade to further develop the understanding of Fred. Olsen’s leading ‘closer’ strategy of unrivalled destination experience, exceptional customer service and friendly, smaller ships. Having worked on them myself earlier in my career, I can definitely recommend them!”

Justin Stanton, Sales and Marketing Director for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:

“We are extremely pleased that Geoff has decided to take on this pivotal role at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. We know that his close links and strong reputation with the travel trade will help us to build upon our existing Sales success.

"Geoff is well-known within the travel industry and – while we will really feel the loss of Mike Evans moving on – he will be a great addition to our senior management team.

"Geoff comes to us with a wealth of knowledge about the travel industry – and Fred. Olsen specifically – and we are all looking forward to welcoming him when he takes up his new post in another part of the Fred. Olsen group."

Geoff lives in Trimley St Mary, near Felixstowe, Suffolk with his wife and two children.

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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