ROL Cruise becomes employee-owned and appoints Cairns CEO
ROL Cruise has confirmed it will operate as an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), granting a majority stake of the company to its staff members
The cruise agency said the move “marks the beginning of a new era” for the business as it enters its 30th anniversary in 2025.
In tandem with the shift to the EOT model, ROL Cruise has appointed Rosie Cairns, formerly joint managing director, as its new CEO to guide the company through the new phase.
Sarah Wikevand will be working alongside Cairns in her current role as managing director, continuing to focus on strengthening key relationships and expanding strategic collaborations with commercial partners. Jez Dickinson, who previously served as chair, will join the Board of the Corporate Trustee.
Cairns said: “As we approach our 30th year, we are excited to celebrate our heritage and our fantastic staff. By becoming an employee-owned trust, we are securing the future of our company, our culture and, most importantly, the future for our incredibly loyal and experienced team.
“This transition is intended to provide long-term stability by maintaining our independence, while also creating new employment opportunities.”
Based in Colchester, Essex, the company employs 138 people, with a staff retention rate of 98 per cent and average length of service exceeding seven years. Over half of its employees have been with the firm for more than five years, while 34 per cent have dedicated a decade or more to the brand.
Dickinson added: “I am delighted to leave this legacy as we transition ROL Cruise into an employee-owned company. It’s been a fantastic 20 years leading the business, and now feels like the perfect time to hand over the reins to the next generation.”
Cairns concluded: “The move to employee ownership is a strategic investment in the future, empowering our dedicated team to help shape the company’s direction while staying true to our core values of customer service excellence. It’s an incredibly exciting time for all of us.”
