Swan Hellenic Expands Team as Exponential Growth Continues
Mario Bounas, one of the original architects of the relaunched Swan Hellenic brand and service philosophy, takes reins as Chief Commercial Officer. Luke Clarke promoted to Senior Sales Director UK, Ireland, Africa and India, while Bill Spaeth is promoted to the cultural expedition cruise pioneer as General Manager North America.
The relaunched Swan Hellenic has carved out an enviable reputation for itself as a leading luxury expedition cruise innovator in just over five years, delivering award-winning standards of worldwide discovery, comfort and service. Now Swan Hellenic has announced that Mario Bounas, one of the major architects of this success, is taking over as Chief Commercial Officer. Luke Clarke, who has been with the company as Sales Director for the past three years, is rewarded for his strong trade relations focus with promotion to Senior Sales Director UK, Ireland, Africa and India.
Both are based in London, Swan Hellenic’s original home, where the company has achieved 347% year-on-year growth, year to date. Following this phenomenal achievement, Swan Hellenic has expanded its UK team with three new recruits to continue providing attentive personal trade and consumer support. Dan Anders, rich in consolidated cruise industry experience at HX and Silversea, will be supporting Luke as Business Development Executive to grow and support Swan Hellenic’s trade business in the UK and Ireland. At the same time, Goran Subasic is joining the Reservations Team from Silversea and Kim Daplyn has been promoted to Guest Relations Director following 2 outstanding years at Swan Hellenic. Kate Patterson-Green is joining Kim as a direct report, building on long hospitality industry experience at Hamilton Pyramid Europe to provide attentive customer care in Swan Hellenic’s Global Guest Relations Team.
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, Bill Spaeth has been promoted to head the North America team as General Manager, following three years with Swan Hellenic and 30 at leading ultraluxury and expedition cruise brands,including Scenic, Ponant and Paul Gauguin. Lisette Martinez Rusian will continue to build and strengthen Swan Hellenic’s trade business across North America as Senior Director Trade Sales, focused on the key areas of charter groups and trade relationships, which she has done so much to develop during her year at the company.
In Monaco, the team gains Nikolai Iablonskii as Sales Director Europe, who brings extensive high-end experience from the world of fashion, including 7 years at Christian Dior.
Supporting Swan Hellenic’s vigorous expansion in the Gulf, Mutaz Mokhtar has been recruited as Regional Head of Sales GCC, based in Dubai. Mutaz has over 25 years’ experience in MICE and tourism, most recently including 10 years at American Express Global Business Travel.
Swan Hellenic CEO Andrea Zito commented: “As Swan Hellenic proudly continues its exciting trajectory of exponential growth, I am proud to reward, nurture and grow the dedicated team that make it all possible. Special thanks go to Mario Bounas, one of the chief architects of our unique guest experience and consequent success, taking adventurous travelers to see what others don’t.”
Chief Commercial Officer Mario Bounas added: “I’ve had the privilege of helping shape Swan Hellenic from its earliest days, but the brand’s extraordinary growth reflects the talent and dedication of everyone in our team. Taking on the CCO role is both an honor and an exciting challenge. I look forward to offering curious minds even more unique destinations and experiences, serving a company and an industry about which I am hugely passionate.”
For more information about Swan Hellenic, please visit www.swanhellenic.com or call +442035031130
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