Luxury cruise brand Silversea Cruises today announced that Peter Shanks would join the company as its new managing director for the UK and Ireland. Based in the London office, he will be responsible for spearheading the firm’s continued growth in these markets.

He will report to chief executive Roberto Martinoli.Recently, he was president and managing director of Cunard Line, and before that spent 12 years at the Carnival Corporation.For the last three years he has been development director at Imagine Cruising, a provider of cruise and stay holidays, which is part of the Emirates Group. A long career in the travel industry also means Shanks spent a stint as the Chairman of CLIA UK.

“Peter is the leading expert on the British and Irish markets,” said Silversea chairman Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio. “I’m thrilled he is joining Silversea and I am sure that thanks to his leadership we will be able to further grow in markets where we are already a renowned and leading luxury brand,” he said. 

Chief executive Roberto Martinoli, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Peter back to the cruise sector at a pivotal point in our company’s growth and evolution.

His background in cruising and extensive experience in the industry will ensure he is able to effectively lead our team to the next stage.”

Shanks, who will join the team in early 2018, said: “It’s a really exciting time for Silversea and I am very much looking forward to leading the Silversea Team in the UK & Ireland at a time when we are set for considerable growth.”