Giles Hawke appointed new Celebrity Cruises EMEA boss
Will PayneGiles Hawke will succeed Jo Rzymowska as vice-president and managing director EMEA of Celebrity Cruises, it has been confirmed.
Hawke announced his departure from Cosmos, Globus and Avalon Waterways earlier this week, seven years after joining from MSC Cruises. Globus said recruitment was "already under way for a successor" to lead the UK business, with the aim of "ensuring a seamless transition".
He will report to Celebrity’s new president, Laura Hodges Bethge and will oversee all aspects of Celebrity’s EMEA business. He will join the company in September.
The move comes after Rzymowska announced in December 2022 she would be stepping down from her role as Celebrity boss after nearly two decades with Royal Caribbean Group.
Hawke said: I’m thrilled to be joining Celebrity and to being part of this dynamic company. I have watched from a distance as the company has grown its share with ground-breaking ships and a strong brand identity. I look forward to being a part of Celebrity’s next exciting chapter under Laura Hodges Bethge’s leadership."
Hodges Bethge said: “I am excited to welcome Giles into Celebrity. His strong leadership, commercial expertise and experience in the sector is second to none, and I look forward to having his insight on my leadership team to help shape and grow our market share in EMEA.”
Speaking to TTG this month ahead of her departure, Rzymowska said she was "ready for her next challenge" and still had "much" on her to-do list – including plans to mentor businesses on their approaches to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Hawke joined escorted touring specialist Cosmos Tours from MSC Cruises in May 2016, and went on to head up Cosmos, Globus and Avalon Waterways in the UK for seven years. "The last seven years have flown by, and I cannot thank the team enough for their commitment, professionalism, and dedication," said Hawke as news of his departure broke.
Prior to his time with MSC, Hawke held senior sales roles with Carnival UK and the group’s Cunard, P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises brands, as well as with Crystal Holidays and Tui.
An ardent remainer, Hawke has made no secret of his contempt for Brexit over the past five years. During a 2019 interview with TTG, Hawke said: “I wouldn’t have had the career I’ve had without that freedom of movement; that freedom of being able to work somewhere else."
He’s lived, studied and worked overseas for a significant portion of his career, in France and Austria, and attributes some of his professional acumen to the opportunities afforded to him by being able to study in another country thanks to a European Study Grant.
His comments were echoed by his predecessor Rzymowska, who reflected candidly on her 40-year industry career and European heritage in a wide-ranging recent interview with TTG. “I used to say I worked in German, ate in French and drank in Spanish!" Rzymowska recalled.
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