Havila Voyages has made a strategic shift in leadership with Matthew Valentine promoted to global head of sales.
- Valentine brings four years of experience with Havila and prior roles at Hurtigruten to his new position.
- He will continue managing existing regional responsibilities while leading global sales efforts.
- Key executives, Gundersen and Kuusisto, will report under Valentine’s leadership.
- The promotion coincides with Havila’s progressive environmental goals and operational challenges.
Havila Voyages has strategically advanced its leadership structure by appointing Matthew Valentine to the role of global head of sales. This development signifies a commitment to strengthening the company’s outreach and operational efficacy across international markets. With four years invested in the company, Valentine transitions from his role overseeing sales in multiple regions including the UK, USA, Canada, among others, to now spearheading the global sales team.
Bringing a wealth of experience from his previous tenure at Hurtigruten, where he was responsible for developing markets within the EMEA region, Valentine is expected to forge new relationships and bolster sales on an international scale. His seasoned expertise is seen as pivotal in navigating the competitive landscape of the cruise industry.
In his new role, Matthew Valentine will maintain oversight of his current regional responsibilities while taking on the mantle of global sales leadership. This dual role is anticipated to streamline sales processes and create a cohesive strategy for driving growth in diverse markets.
Under Valentine’s leadership, two key regional heads, Irene Gundersen for Scandinavia and France, and Pia Kuusisto for DACH, Finland, and Italy, will report directly to him. This restructuring aims to enhance communication and operational efficiency, pivotal for achieving Havila’s ambitious expansion goals.
Johanna Hansli, chief sales officer, expressed confidence in Valentine’s capabilities, citing his extensive commercial acumen as instrumental in promoting the Havila brand on a global stage. Hansli described Valentine’s appointment as essential to realising the company’s ambitious plans.
Valentine himself has articulated enthusiasm for his new responsibilities, highlighting the importance of exploring new opportunities and building upon past successes worldwide. He acknowledged Havila’s pioneering steps in sustainable travel, noting their current operation of battery-powered voyages through UNESCO Heritage fjords and the target of achieving emission-free voyages by 2030.
This promotion comes at a time when Havila Voyages is encountering operational challenges, illustrated by a recently cancelled sailing on the Havila Pollux due to an unforeseen malfunction. Nevertheless, the company remains resolute in advancing its strategic objectives and environmental commitments.
The strategic appointment of Matthew Valentine signals Havila’s commitment to global expansion and sustainable innovation amidst industry challenges.
