HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions) announced the appointment of Gebhard Rainer as its new CEO.
"Rainer's experience and strategic vision will drive HX into its next phase of growth and development," HX said in a press release.
With two autonomous management teams in place for HX and Hurtigruten, Daniel Skjeldam, the current Group CEO and CEO for HX, will transition to a role as a board member in Hurtigruten Group.
Skjeldam served as both Group CEO and HX CEO during the initial stages of HX's transformation process.
He emphasized the opportune timing for appointing a CEO solely dedicated to HX, stating: "We have now set the right direction for HX, both when it comes to introducing a new brand and establishing and executing the first parts of the new long-term strategy. With the split between Hurtigruten and HX in its final phase, I believe the timing is ideal to bring in a dedicated CEO for HX to develop the company to its full potential."
Rainer expressed his enthusiasm for joining the HX team and his confidence in the brand's potential for success. "I'm thrilled to embark on this journey with HX and to contribute to our shared vision for expedition travel that is mindful, responsibly low-impact, and considerate of our surroundings," he said.
"The opportunities ahead are truly exciting, and I look forward to leveraging HX's strengths to drive innovation, growth, and positive impact in the expedition travel industry."
Rainer brings a wealth of experience from his notable career spanning various leadership roles. Prior to joining HX, he served as CEO of Sandals Resorts International. His tenure at Coach as president & COO solidified his reputation as a leader capable of optimizing operations and consumer experiences.
Gebhard Rainer will assume the role of CEO of HX on 15JUL.
