Panache boss honoured by cruise industry

James Cole, the founder and CEO of Panache Cruises, has been honoured for his contributions to the cruise industry.

The Chorley-based businessman has won the The Peter Grant Award at Wave Awards. 

The award was established in 2021 to honour the memory and contributions of Peter Grant, a former director of a number of high-profile cruise media publications and cruise industry stalwart.

A Wave Awards spokesperson said: “This award was presented to James as a testament to his outstanding dedication and contribution to the cruise industry. We believe that his work truly embodies the spirit and values that Peter Grant held dear.”

Earlier this month, Panache Cruises was also named as the fastest growing business in the North of England for 2023, as part of the Fast Growth 50 Index in the North of England, sponsored by UBS.

The business has also won a number of additional awards this year, including The Best Agency to Work For’ at the 2023 Agency Achievement Awards and ‘Best Online Agent’ also at the 2023 Wave Awards. 

James Cole said: "To be recognised with this award in front of so many of my cruise colleagues and peers was an absolute honour. In the last few weeks, we have been fortunate to have won a good number of awards, which are all a testament to the hard work and dedication of my colleagues at Panache Cruises.

"Over the last three years we have grown Panache Cruises exponentially.  This year we will have achieved a turnover of £20m+, grown our team to 55, and in the last few weeks moved to our new state of the art offices at Chorley’s Strawberry Fields Digital Hub. 

"And, not only that, but also launched our business in the USA and have recently appointed our 12th apprentice with an ambition to invest in over 100 by 2030."