by Donald Wood
Last updated: 8:30 AM ET, Wed June 12, 2024
New HX CEO Gebhard Rainer. (Photo Credit: Hurtigruten Expeditions Media)
HX (Hurtigruten
Expeditions) announced on Wednesday the appointment of Gebhard Rainer as the
new Chief Executive Officer of the expedition cruise company.
As a result, Daniel Skjeldam, the current Group CEO and CEO
of HX, will transition to a role as a board member in Hurtigruten Group. Rainer
will assume the role of CEO of HX on July 15, with Daniel Skjeldam remaining
CEO of both Hurtigruten Group and HX until July 15.
Prior to joining HX, Rainer served as CEO of Sandals Resorts
International, where he successfully navigated the luxury hospitality industry
while driving business growth. His tenure at Coach as President & Chief
Operating Officer further solidified his reputation as a transformative leader
capable of optimizing operations and enhancing consumer experiences.
“I'm thrilled to embark on this journey with HX and to
contribute to our shared vision for expedition travel that is mindful,
responsibly low-impact, and considerate of our surroundings,” Rainer said. “The
opportunities ahead are truly exciting, and I look forward to leveraging HX's
strengths to drive innovation, growth, and positive impact in the expedition
travel industry.”
Skjeldam emphasized the opportune timing for appointing a
CEO solely dedicated to HX.
“We have now set the right direction for HX, both when it
comes to introducing a new brand and establishing and executing the first parts
of the new long-term strategy,” Skjeldam said. “With the split between
Hurtigruten and HX in its final phase, I believe the timing is ideal to bring
in a dedicated CEO for HX to develop the company to its full potential.”
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