The Buzz: New CEO at Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
Uniworld Names Ellen Bettridge New President and CEO: Bettridge succeeds Guy Young, who will enjoy a new promotion.
From Twitter:
Via Faceook Search
Note: Not that much on Facebook, but a nice archive of the various positions Ellen Bettridge has held over the last decade. She has been at a lot of cruise and travel industry brands, that's for sure.
The Press Release (follows)
Ellen Bettridge has been appointed the President & CEO of Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection. With that, Guy Young has been promoted to take on two Signiant positions at The Travel Corporation. Guy Young now serves as Global Brand Engagement Officer at The Travel Corporation, as well as President of Costsaver, Trafalgar’s fast-growing value brand.
Ms. Bettridge succeeds Guy Young, who is being promoted and will take on two new roles at The Travel Corporation (“TTC”), Uniworld’s parent company. Ms. Bettridge will begin her new position effective August 6, 2016, and Mr. Young will work with her to ensure a smooth transition prior to joining TTC.
The announcement was made today by Brett Tollman, Chief Executive of The Travel Corporation. Said Mr. Tollman, “It is my great privilege and pleasure to welcome Ellen to our team at Uniworld. 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.”
Ms. Bettridge will be responsible for managing and overseeing Uniworld’s global business, including operations and financial performance, product development, the industry’s foremost guest experience, service enrichment and onboard/onshore programming. She will also specifically focus on growing and expanding Uniworld’s business, as well as furthering its leadership and innovation in the river cruise industry.
Said Ms. Bettridge, “It is an honor for me to take the helm of the world’s finest river cruise line. 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.”
Ms. Bettridge joins Uniworld from Azamara Club Cruises, where she has served as Vice President, Sales and Marketing, responsible for growing Azamara’s markets in the Americas, as well as for developing strategic relationships with trade and marketing partners. Previously, Ms. Bettridge held the position of President, Americas at Silversea Cruise Ltd., where she developed and implemented successful sales strategies and marketing campaigns throughout the U.S., Canada and Latin America. Prior to Silversea, Ms. Bettridge held various positions at American Express over more than twenty years, initially as a Travel Counselor and most recently as Vice President Retail Travel Business, responsible for the management of travel and financial services in twenty-eight owned locations in the U.S., 300 employees and 150 franchise partners.
Mr. Young, who will continue to be based in the Company’s Encino office, is being promoted and will take on two newly created and exceptionally important roles; Global Brand Engagement Officer at TTC, reporting to Brett Tollman, and President of Costsaver, Trafalgar's fast-growing value brand, reporting to Gavin Tollman, CEO of Trafalgar. Said Brett Tollman, "Guy and I have worked together for over 25 years now, and he has led Uniworld to new heights and exceptional accolades during his tenure of nearly a decade. Both Gavin and I congratulate Guy on his accomplishments, and we very much look forward to working closely with him as we continue to drive and grow some of the very best brands in the travel industry."