By
Rebecca Gibson |
Richard Twynam has been appointed as Azamara Club Cruises’ first managing director of UK and Ireland.
Twynam has more than 20 years of experience in the travel industry and has held senior positions at companies such as Air New Zealand, Tui UK and Virgin Holidays Cruises. In his new position, Twynam will lead a new ten-strong team dedicated to the destination immersive travel brand, as well as a three-strong sales team and a marketing communications and PR manger.
David Duff, who formerly worked in commercial planning and analysis at Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCL), will support Twynam as commercial director. He will be joined by a business analyst and an air and inventory team member. Together, the commercial team will aid agents in planning pricing, itineraries and strengthen the brand among British and Irish holidaymakers.
“The UK and Ireland market continues to be one of the largest and most important for Azamara Club Cruises and is going from strength to strength,” said Larry Pimentel, president and CEO of Azamara Club Cruises. “We are excited to welcome Richard Twynam to lead this evolution as we continue to grow and invest in our business in the UK. Now is a really exciting time for the business as the expansion continues.”
In September, RCL revealed plans to create three individual businesses for its Royal Caribbean International, Azamara Club Cruises and Celebrity Cruises brands in the UK and Ireland, following an extensive review into the company’s rapid global expansion. Twynam will join Stuart Leven, who is to serve as managing director of Royal Caribbean International UK and Ireland, and Jo Rzymowska, who has been appointed as managing director of Celebrity Cruises.
The changes are to come into effect in January 2014 and recognise the company’s growth, positioning each cruise line for future development through brand-specific sales, revenue and marketing functions.