By
Elizabeth Robinson |
James Stangroom will be welcomed as the new chair of CruiseBritain on 1 January 2018.
Stangroom, who currently serves as business development manager at The Bristol Port Company, will take over from current chair Angie Redhead, who is stepping down after nearly three years in the role.
CruiseBritain will also welcome an expanded Steering Group and new cruise line representative at the start of next year.
The Steering Group, which oversees and advises on CruiseBritain’s activities, has been expanded to six ports and three service providers. James Langley, director of marine and technical operations at Saga Cruises, has accepted the invitation to become CruiseBritain’s cruise line representative.
“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,” said Stangroom. “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.”
“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,” said Redhead. “Our UK ports and 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.”
Redhead added that the appointment of Stangroom has the unanimous support of CruiseBritain’s Steering Group, which she will continue to be a part of moving forwards.
“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,” she said.
Stangroom 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 is responsible for a mixture of business development and commercial management covering a number of different trade areas including the breakbulk, container trades, warehousing and cruise.
He 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.”