UK and Ireland managing director Jo Rzymowska adds Asia to her remit in the expanded role of vice president and managing director, UK, Ireland and Asia, while Claire Stirrup is promoted to director of sales. Meanwhile Kathy Barbrooke has been promoted to director of guest and trade services, UK and Ireland.
The appointments coincide with confirmation that the cruise line will have its largest-ever UK and Ireland deployment in 2018, with ships sailing from both Southampton and Dublin in the summer months.
The addition of Asia to Rzymowska’s enhanced vice president role will see the inclusion of China, Singapore, Hong Kong, India and Japan added to her areas of responsibility, including a dedicated Celebrity team in Singapore.
“It is a pivotal time for our business as we expand our investment into the UK and Ireland with an increase in deployment, and achieve our strongest ever market performance," Rzymowska said. "These milestones are testament to our incredible team and I’m passionate about continuing to build on these great achievements.”
Stirrup steps up to the director of sales role from January when Sarah Harraghy – currently commercial sales director – steps down. Stirrup has been part of the Celebrity sales team since 2013 and was previously a commercial manager and regional sales manager for TUI. Reporting to Rzymowska, she will lead the sales and business development team as well as a trade marketing and support function.
Barbrooke has led the guest and trade services team for five years and under her tenure the UK-based contact centre achieved its highest ever trade sales conversion and market-leading levels of trade satisfaction.
The promotion to director reflects the phenomenal results of the guest and trade services team under Barbrooke’s leadership.
Gavin Smith, senior vice president, international, RCL Cruises Ltd, added: “The promotions in the UK and Ireland management team reflect the huge strategic significance of their achievements to our global business. The region remains one of our most important, and we continue to invest in our operations and people to support our growth.”
