Sea Cloud Cruises is consolidating its companies under a holding company and adding two executives to the leadership of Sea Cloud Cruises GmbH, the Hamburg-based luxury sailing cruise line announced.
Shareholder Maximilian Block joins the management team, bringing a background in shipping, finance, and corporate development. Ralph de Klijn, a cruise industry executive with more than 25 years of experience running premium and luxury lines, will serve as owner's representative. Victoria Seidel and Adam Pazdzioch remain on the management team.
"Sea Cloud Cruises is a strong brand with a long tradition and an exceptional product. With the new structure and the expanded leadership team, we are strategically positioning Sea Cloud Cruises for the next phase of development," Block said.
The reorganization comes as the company looks to grow beyond the DACH region (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland), which remains one of its most important markets, with a push into the U.S. and other international markets. Kevin Smith, whose appointment as president, the Americas, was previously announced, is charged with further developing existing partnerships there.
"We aim to expand our business in our existing core markets and strengthen our presence in additional international markets. To this end, we will also make targeted investments in new technologies," de Klijn said.
A newly formed advisory board will support management on strategy and corporate development. Heino Schmidt, a longtime member of the Hamburg Süd management board, will chair it. Hermann Ebel, who moves from operational management to the board, and Oliver Förster, a partner at Hamburg law firm Huth Dietrich Hahn, round out the membership.
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