HX Expeditions chief executive Gebhard Rainer is to step down
Rainer joined the company in 2024 and oversaw its split from Hurtigruten, which was completed in February 2025.
He also oversaw the implementation of a new digital booking system and guest app and led year-to-date bookings to grow by more than 25 per cent globally, including 24 per cent growth in the UK and 58 per cent in the US.
Rainer has now said he will step down to return home to the US to be closer to his family, but will remain in his role during a transition period over the coming months.
The board is undertaking an executive search to appoint its next CEO.
Rainer said: "This has been a difficult decision, but returning home to the US to be closer to my family is important to me. HX is a UK company headquartered in London, so leading the team from the US was not viable.
"I am proud of what we have achieved together, strengthening the business and building momentum for the future. Thank you to our teams for their commitment and contribution.
"Throughout the transition, I will remain focused on delivering our strategy, supporting our crew and guests and working with the board toi ensure a smooth handover."
Alex Dichter, chair of the HX board, said: "The board has full confidence in the exceptionally strong team Gebhard has built to lead HX through this transition.
"Since joining in 2024, he had brought stability, strong leadership and a clear focus on the guest experience, from the first digital interaction to life on board.
"We thank him for his contribution and respect his personal decision to return home to be closer to his family. Our focus is now on an orderly transition and appointing our next CEO. We will work closely with Gebhard throughout this notice period to deliver that."
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