Cruise Britain announces new Steering GroupCruise Britain announces new Steering Group

Cruise Britain announced its new Steering Group. 

Starting a three-year term at the beginning of 2025 is Mary Bond, group portfolio director, Seatrade Cruise, Perry Dack, cruise manager, Solent Stevedores and Ian Diaper, deputy director, Portsmouth International Port. 

Also on the committee is Gary Hall, commercial executive, Belfast Harbour, Isla Haddow, UK cruise manager, Denholm Port Services, Rebekah Keeler, cruise strategy manager, ABP Southampton, Kate O’Hara, head of cruise, Fowey Harbour and James Stangroom, director, Bristol Port. 

They will be joined by new cruise line representative, Kai Algar, marine and port planning manager, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. 

Continuing as chair – and with the support of the incoming Steering Group, including Kay Greenway, Cruise Britain’s director – will be Ian McQuade, Portland Port’s commercial GM. 

2024 update

Cruise Britain’s port and destination membership stands tall with over 40 ports and destinations represented, from new member Stornoway in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides through all four UK home nations and the Crown dependencies of Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey (Channel Islands). 

The nationwide port community is joined by a range of vital service providers including ground handlers, shore excursion specialists, port agents, stevedores, car parking operators and key industry stakeholders.

Related:Cruise lines join Cruise Britain in end of year celebrations

According to Cruise Britain, collaborative work with stakeholders increased over the course of the year and includes cruise operators, Cruise Lines International Association UK & Ireland, Cruise Lines International Association Europe, UK Chamber of Shipping, VisitBritain and government departments. The association also signed an MOU with Cruise Ireland. 

‘2024 has been another successful year for Cruise Britain and its members’, said McQuade. ‘Our thanks must go to all the cruise lines that we’ve worked with and who are increasing their presence in Britain and British Isles waters; and also to all our generous sponsors for events across the year. Our membership is immensely supportive and this is reflected in the presence that the association is able to maintain. Our springboard to 2025 is looking on a firm footing and I look forward to next year’.

Annual events

The association and its members gather three times a year with spring sessions focussing on regulation, legislation and imminent challenges, while summer events take the association on the road to a member port and on board a cruise ship. 

120 attendees – including 34 cruise executives from 20 cruise operators – joined the association’s end of year festivities last month. The programme included two different trips on the River Thames, a speech by the governor of The Tower of London, and a Great British Pub Quiz designed to inform and educate. 

It was Cruise Britain’s sixth event in London.