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Vikand hires Russ Holmes for new business development director role

Vikand Solutions appointed the well-known Mercy Ships veteran Russ Holmes to a newly created role, director of business development.

Anne Kalosh, Editor, Seatrade Cruise News & Senior Associate Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review

April 7, 2021

2 Min Read
Credit: Seatrade Cruise News

With this addition, the company that is recognized as a key medical services provider in the cruise sector signals its plan to expand further into the global maritime industry, including commercial shipping, private islands, the gas and oil sector and yachting.

Medical and maritime expertise and 'indomitable spirit'

'Russ brings his wealth of medical expertise and maritime experience — and his indomitable spirit — to ensure our current and future clients receive the highest level of service,' Vikand CEO Peter Hult said. 'He has extensive knowledge of the global maritime industries, enabling us further engagement and capacity in providing our medical solutions in the return to safe sailing.'

Two decades with Mercy Ships

Holmes is a familiar figure throughout the maritime and healthcare industries after more than two decades with Mercy Ships. Having spent eight years at sea on board a Mercy Ship, he knows what it takes to provide the highest level of healthcare to mariners and travelers.

Strategic brand partnerships

Over the last 15 years, Holmes built globally based teams that have developed strategic partnerships with many of the largest brands throughout the maritime, healthcare and technology sectors, including MSC Group, Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft, Dell Technologies, Cruise Lines International Association, Seatrade, Wärtsilä, Becton Dickinson and hundreds of others.

He brings a 'deep understanding and knowledge of the healthcare needs of the maritime industry, the biomedical needs of our clients, extensive project and relationship management as well as what it takes to provide leadership to grow high functioning, unified teams around the globe,' Hult said.

Diverse expertise

Most recently, Holmes was the director of corporate cevelopment for Mercy Ships, managing globally based teams that engaged many industries throughout the corporate sector to raise support for the organization's mission. He held other senior roles in areas including international supply chain, logistics and procurement, and operation director aboard a hospital ship. He most recently played a key role in sourcing much of the medical equipment for Mercy Ships' first newbuild, Global Mercy, scheduled to deploy later this year.

Holmes considers Vikand a 'natural fit,' adding: 'I am excited to use my skills, experience and knowledge of the industry to benefit Vikand clients, their mariners and guests while helping drive growth for the organization as we meet the growing healthcare needs of the industry. I believe Vikand offers tremendous medical solutions. delivered with efficiency and intelligence, to every segment of the maritime industry.'

About the Author

Anne Kalosh

Editor, Seatrade Cruise News & Senior Associate Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review

Anne Kalosh covers global stories, reporting both breaking and in-depth news on cruising's significant people, places, ships and trends. A sought-after expert on cruising, she has moderated conferences around the world, including the high-profile State of the Industry panel at Seatrade Cruise Global. She created and led the acclaimed itinerary-planning case study for Seatrade's cruise master classes held at Cambridge and Oxford universities. She has been the cruise columnist for AFAR.com, and her freelance stories have appeared in a wide range of publications, from The New York Times to The Miami Herald.

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