Havila Voyages promotes Matthew Valentine to global head of sales
Havila Voyages has promoted Matthew Valentine to a new global head of sales role, reporting to Johanna Hansli, chief sales officer
Valentine, who has been with the company for four years, was previously head of sales for UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Spain, The Netherlands and Belgium. Prior to that, he was head of sales, developing markets EMEA at Hurtigruten.
As well as retaining day to day responsibility for his existing regions, he will now lead the global sales team in forging new relationships and building sales.
Irene Gundersen, head of sales for Scandinavia and France and Pia Kuusisto, head of sales for DACH, Finland and Italy will both report to Valentine.
Hansli said: “Having known Matthew for many years, I have no doubt that his commercial acumen and wealth of experience will prove invaluable in growing the Havila Voyages brand globally. We have ambitious plans for our business, and this new position will be key to making them happen.”
Havila Voyages ‘on target’ to operate 11-day emission free voyage by 2030
Valentine added: “I’m very much looking forward to working with the team to explore new opportunities and build on their successes around the world.
“Havila Voyages are already sailing on battery power through the UNESCO Heritage fjords, but we are on target to operate our whole 11 day voyage emission free by 2030.”
The announcement comes after the line was forced to cancel another sailing on board Havila Pollux after an “unforeseen malfunction” was discovered with the vessel’s motor.
