The challenge for the industry is… Ensuring that we can create a pricing model that encourages and rewards the early booker-the big cruise lines do a great job of growing the market, and I welcome that. Clearly though, there is a lot of capacity coming on stream, and being involved in a sale of distressed stock does us no favours, having such specialist brands . So, increasing rate of sale on early bookers is the main challenge
The things I like about my job are… The variety and the challenge of operating in different markets with different distribution models. Also, there are times when on one of the ships, you need to take a step back, and remind yourself where you are, and what a great product cruising is!
And the frustrations… There are always frustrations in any role-the trick is how to deal with them!! I guess it is speed of reaction across all contact points be they internal or external that gets me wound up sometimes!
If I didn’t work in travel I would be a… I really cannot imagine anything else as fulfilling, having done this since I was 16! I have seen parts of the world I could only have dreamed of if I was doing a “normal” job! – however if I was pushed to say anything it would be something very different and outdoors, so will go for landscape gardener
Qantas or Virgin? Unfair question to a Brit-I will abstain
My proudest moment was… professionally it was picking up awards for our Cruise brands at the British Travel awards-this is voted for by customers and makes all the hard work very worthwhile-on a personal level, crossing the line at the London Marathon (It goes without saying my wedding and children so deliberately did not choose them!)
The naughtiest thing I ever did was… I have had fun down the years and there have been a few wind ups on colleagues – inevitably the favour has been returned with interest so I avoid too many scrapes now!
I try to relax by… Playing golf badly on a Sunday morning
The last time I feared for my life… In a cab to Malaga airport – not sure what the cab driver was on, but as I do not speak Spanish I was pretty powerless – I genuinely have never been as frightened
If I can, I always try to avoid… being late for anything
I really wish I had… spent a little longer in Australia on my very recent visit!
The best advice I’ve ever received was… my Dad had a very simple philosophy which I try and adhere to –“if a job is worth doing, it’s worth doing well”
I don’t understand why… some people choose negativity as the first option…
My greatest weakness is… my attention span!
And my greatest strength… I think it has to be passion and enthusiasm for what I do-I also believe my team have the same outlook, and it makes challenges easier to achieve with the right attitude
If I was prime minister I would… go on a Cruise and tell the world!
If I won $1 million on the lottery I would… get my kids set up ….getting on the housing ladder is a huge challenge looming!
If I could be someone else for one day I would be… the Captain on our very special ship, Hebridean Princess, taking in that amazing Scottish scenery!
I’ve always wanted to travel to… Bora Bora-being so far from the UK, it has mystique and looks like “paradise”…..one day!
My favourite holiday was… we hired an ancient farmhouse in Tuscany with sensational views, peace and quiet, great food and wine-takes some beating
