Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection has appointed cruise industry veteran Ellen Bettridge as the line’s President and Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Guy Young who has been promoted to two new roles with Uniworld parent company, The Travel Corporation.
Bettridge, who comes to Uniworld from Azamara Club Cruises where she served as Vice President, Sales and Marketing, was hand-picked by Brett Tollman, who heads up The Travel Corporation as its Chief Executive Officer.
“It is my great privilege and pleasure to welcome Ellen to our team at Uniworld,” said Tollman. “I have known and admired Ellen for many years. She is a superbly capable and talented travel industry professional, with an exceptional reputation and a winning track-record. I am confident that Ellen will make a consequential and instrumental contribution to Uniworld’s performance and success, and the team and I very much look forward to working closely with her.”
Bettridge will be responsible for overseeing Uniworld’s global business, including operations and financial performance, product development, guest experience, enrichment, and programming onshore and onboard. She has also been tasked with growing and expanding Uniworld’s core business in the river cruise industry.
“It is an honor for me to take the helm of the world’s finest river cruise line,” said Bettridge. “I look forward to partnering with Brett and collaborating with the entire Uniworld team to ensure that the Company continues to lead and maintain the standard of excellence in the river cruise industry, as well as to create innovative experiences, programs and services that appeal to the most discerning and inspired travelers throughout the world.”
In appointing Bettridge to her new role as head of Uniworld, the company is gaining her years of experience in the ocean cruise industry – an appropriate strategy, given Viking River Cruises foray into ocean cruising, and Crystal Cruises recent move in the opposite direction, developing its first river cruise product.
In addition to her key role with Azamara Club Cruises, Bettridge previously served as President, Americas with ultra-luxury cruise line Silversea. She has also had various roles in a travel capacity with American Express, where she worked for over two decades.
The outgoing Guy Young, meanwhile, is being promoted and will take on two newly created roles: Global Brand Engagement Officer at The Travel Company, reporting to Brett Tollman; and President of Costsaver, Trafalgar‘s value tour brand, reporting to Gavin Tollman, CEO of Trafalgar.
Ellen Bettridge officially takes over as Uniworld’s President and CEO on August 6, 2016.
More information on Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection can be found by viewing our company profile here on River Cruise Advisor.
