Luxury cruise firm makes two key hires

By Ged Henderson

23 Oct 2024

Panache Cruises

Luxury travel retailer Panache Cruises has made two senior hires as part of its growth strategy to hit £100m turnover by 2027/28.

The Chorley based business was launched in 2020 by James Cole and employs a team of 58 in the UK and another eight in the US.

Following a period of record growth, Alex Langton has been appointed head of sales and operations, while Rhianna Latham is the company’s first head of people and culture. 

James Cole said: “It’s a significant step for us to have appointed two people of the calibre of Alex and Rhianna. 

“Alex comes from the travel industry while Rhianna is from the utilities sector. Neither have a cruise background, which gives us a different perspective.

“They’ve gelled in really well with the management team and I’m very excited about the future.”

Rhianna has previously worked as HR business partner at Leep Utilities and James said her appointment was a sign of the company’s ambition.

He said: “Normally you need to be between 100-200 people before you have a head of culture but our number one focus is our people and colleagues and we wanted to make an early investment in them,” he said.

Alex has previously worked at ITC Travel and Audley Travel and part of his new role is ensuring Panache customers continue to have the best experience possible.

James said: “We pride ourselves on the personalised service that we offer.

“All our customers get introduced to their own cruise connoisseur on their first point of contact until they come back from their cruise. Alex is responsible for that customer journey.

“Our strapline is ‘nothing is too much trouble’ and we live by that value. We’ve also recruited a number of new apprentices and cruise connoisseurs as we strive to become the world’s largest seller of luxury and ultra-luxury cruises by 2030.”

In the last financial year Panache Cruises grew turnover to £22.2m – up 68 per cent from the previous 12 months – and booked 2,623 cruises. Panache opened a US office in Orlando in June.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Ged Henderson

Latest news

1

Cruise retailer’s US office hits $3m sales in four months James Cole CEO Panache Cruises

Cruise retailer’s US office hits $3m sales in four months

04 Nov 2024

2

Sanderson Weatherall appointed to manage Preston's £45m+ Animate leisure complex The handover for the Animate leisure complex

Sanderson Weatherall appointed to manage Preston's £45m+ Animate leisure complex

01 Nov 2024

3

Beer company created to raise awareness of bowel cancer and funds for charity Imogen-Rose Gregory

Beer company created to raise awareness of bowel cancer and funds for charity

01 Nov 2024

4

Demolition to start on conference centre and former Lancashire College site in Chorley Woodlands building

Demolition to start on conference centre and former Lancashire College site in Chorley

01 Nov 2024

5

Latest chef to join stellar line-up of Taste Lancashire Ambassadors Tim Allen

Latest chef to join stellar line-up of Taste Lancashire Ambassadors

01 Nov 2024

PC PrestonMacan GIF980x120
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
The Lancashire Festival of Business
FOB 315
Exhibitions
30 Jan 2025

The Lancashire Festival of Business

Impact Conferencing, Burnley, BB12 6QP

09:00 - 16:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
11 Jun 2024 - 04 Dec 2024

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 16:30

Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 2
Blue-Modern-Land-Travel-Youtube-Thumbnail-2-1024x576.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
15 Oct 2024 - 17 Dec 2024

Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 2

Community & Business Partners CIC, Blackburn, BB2 3UA

09:30 - 13:00

Why Trade Internationally?
Chamber Logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
06 Nov 2024 - 06 Nov 2024

Why Trade Internationally?

Lune Brew Co. Unit 2, Galgate Mill, Ind Est, Chapel Ln, Galgate, Lancaster, LA2 0PR

08:00 - 11:00

Bridging The Gap: Connecting business and developers
Nov Preston Tech Connection event banner-2.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
06 Nov 2024 - 06 Nov 2024

Bridging The Gap: Connecting business and developers

Society1 Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

mBITfor transformative leadership and coaching
mBIT coach Practitioner.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
14 Nov 2024 - 17 Nov 2024

mBITfor transformative leadership and coaching

Unlocking Possibilities training venue, 166 Waterloo Road , Blackpool, FY4 2AF

09:00 - 17:00

Avidly Activates UK 2024 - Activate your customer-driven sales and marketing
avidly activates audience having a good time.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
14 Nov 2024

Avidly Activates UK 2024 - Activate your customer-driven sales and marketing

Everyman Cinema, Holmes Mill, Clitheroe, BB7 1EB

10:00 - 16:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (14).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
14 Nov 2024 - 14 Nov 2024

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

LBV119 Magazine Launch Event
DSC9389
Networking
20 Nov 2024

LBV119 Magazine Launch Event

Stonyhurst College, Clitheroe, BB7 9PT

16:00 - 18:00

Live Work Create: Building Community In The Modern World
Live-Work-Create-Building-Community-1024x1024.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
20 Nov 2024

Live Work Create: Building Community In The Modern World

Society1 Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:00

North West HR Employers Forum
CBP-logo LBV.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
20 Nov 2024 - 20 Nov 2024

North West HR Employers Forum

Wham Stadium, Accrington Stanley, Livingstone Road, Accrington, BB5 5BX

09:00 - 12:00

Emergency First Aid at Work
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Nov 2024

Emergency First Aid at Work

FGH Training, 3rd Floor, Storey House, White Cross Business Park, Lancaster, LA1 4XQ

09:00 - 05:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV118 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin