Royal Caribbean names Celebrity Cruises' Gerard Nolan as new EMEA chief
Harry KembleRoyal Caribbean International has announced Gerard Nolan, Celebrity Cruises commercial associate vice-president, EMEA, as its EMEA vice-president.
Nolan will lead day-to-day operations for the brand across the EMEA region, overseeing the sales, marketing and commercial teams. He will succeed Ben Bouldin who will lead the Royal brand in China from August.
Nolan will report into Angie Stephen, senior vice-president of international, in his new role at Royal Caribbean International.
Since March 2021, Nolan has had the position of Celebrity Cruises’ commercial associate vice-president, overseeing the EMEA region and providing strategic support for Australia and Asia Pacific regions.
Prior to that role, he was UK and Ireland director of revenue and e-commerce and UK and Ireland head of revenue and product at Celebrity.
Nolan said: “I really can’t wait to start my new role at such an exciting time for Royal Caribbean. I’m looking forward to leading my talented new team and supporting our fantastic travel partners as we continue to drive the brand’s success across the EMEA region."
Before joining Celebrity, he worked for InterContinental Hotels Group and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.
A team led by Stephen interviewed candidates who had the right qualifications to lead Royal Caribbean in the EMEA market.
Last week, Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International’s chief executive, told TTG he was a “big supporter of internal candidates” and confirmed Bouldin’s successor would likely come from inside the Royal Caribbean Group.
The line announced in May Bouldin would move to China with his family in August to head up the brand there, bringing an end to his 10-year association with the UK and Irish market.
Bayley, though, did raise the prospect of Bouldin returning to Weybridge in the future. “He will probably be coming back in a couple of years,” he said.
Bouldin will lead the day-to-day operations in the country, overseeing the sales, marketing and commercial teams.
At the time, Bouldin said: “It is a significant chance for me, both personally and professionally, and I’m honoured Royal Caribbean sees me as the right candidate to steer and grow the business in such a key region for the brand.”
Bouldin joined Royal Caribbean as a director of sales for the UK and Ireland in 2014. Prior to his EMEA vice-president role, he was overseeing sales and marketing as UK and Ireland managing director.
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