CCS announces restructure
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It has been announced that Complete Cruise Solutions, the agent facing body for Carnival UK’s three brands, P&O, Cunard and Princess, is to undergo a structural reorganisation.
As of March 2013 there will be two separate teams – one solely supporting Princess Cruises while the other handling Cunard and P&O.
This change recognises the importance of each brand’s market position and product differentiation,” said Giles Hawke customer services director of Carnival UK. “As each brand evolves, their subsequent distribution and marketing solutions vary and this structure will enable more dedicated resource to work with our agent partners to fulfil those needs.
“The Complete Cruise Solution sales team has driven a significant increase in cruise business through many agents in this country over a number of years. Now is the time to underpin that solid foundation, encourage a new generation of cruisers and build on that growth to further commercial success.
“The introduction of two sales teams will increase the internal resource available to maintain the current high standards of travel agent support and encourage unrivalled business partnerships. It will drive business growth and extend the marketing to the benefit of each of our three cruise lines and their agent partners.“
The Princess branch of CCS will be headed by an as-yet-to-be-appointed head of sales, who will in turn report directly to Princess UK director Paul Ludlow.
Ludlow said: “I am excited about the opportunity to have a dedicated Princess Cruises sales team working with our agent partners with a clear focus on promoting the Princess brand, especially with the launch of Royal Princess next summer. We will continue to work very closely with our sister brands to ensure that we are joined up and all adding value to travel agents.”
The sales team for P&O Cruises and Cunard will report into the newly appointed head of sales, Chris Truscott, who will join the organisation from Pernod Ricard next year. Truscott will report to Carnival UK sales and customer services director, Giles Hawke.
Hawke added: “All three brands are committed to continued commercial collaboration to provide a consistency of approach and to creating new sales organisations capable of delivering exceptional account management for mutual benefit. This new structure will deliver that promise.“