Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has announced that Mike Evans, the line’s head of sales, is retiring in April 2019.

Evans, who joined the company in 1992, said: “I have decided to retire from Fred. Olsen at the end of April next year, having spent 27 years and a large part of my working life at this company.

“It is a tough decision to make, but one that I am happy with, as I have a lot of plans to fulfil in my retirement.

“It has been a great pleasure and privilege to work with such excellent colleagues, friends and travel trade partners for so long, and I am certain that there is a great future ahead for both the company and the relationships that we have built up over the past 27 years.”

Evans took over as head of sales in April 2017 and has worked to develop the company’s relationship with the travel trade, as well as overseeing the sales team, both in-house and field-based.

Mike Rodwell, managing director of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said that Evans had been an “absolute asset to the company”, adding: “We are very sad to be saying goodbye to such a close colleague as Mike, but of course, we all wish him the best on his retirement, which is very well-deserved.

“With his broad industry experience, extensive knowledge of Fred. Olsen’s unique style of cruising, and excellent reputation with our travel industry partners, Mike has been an absolute asset to the company over the nearly three decades that he has been with us, and he has seen us grow and develop as a major international cruise brand.

“We will all miss Mike a great deal and wish him well in his future adventures, wherever they may take him.”

Fred. Olsen is now searching for a replacement.