Silversea Cruises today announced changes to its global management structure to better respond to market requirements and facilitate its desired international growth.

The changes include two key executive appointments: Steve Odell, as senior vice president of sales and marketing for the U.K., Europe and Asia Pacific, and Karen Christensen, as director of sales and marketing and general manager for Australia and New Zealand.

"Today we are seeing new geographic regions and countries that are disproportionately contributing to the cruise industry's development, particularly in Europe," said Manfredi Lefebvre, Silversea's chairman and chairman of the European Cruise Council. "This evolution poses challenges for commercial organizations that wish to benefit from this growth. Adapting the teams to accept the challenge is of fundamental importance and this is why Silversea is now announcing changes to its organization which will better respond to market requirements."

Steve Odell has been responsible for Silversea's Asia Pacific region since 2001 and opened the office in Sydney in 2008. He has had tremendous success at developing business in the region. Odell will relocate to the company's London office at the beginning of July, where he will take on his new responsibilities for the extended geographical region. He will continue to report to Kenneth Watson, the company's chief operating officer.

Karen Christensen, who has been successful in her role as regional sales director for Australia and New Zealand within the Sydney office in recent years, will continue to report to Odell as she takes on her new responsibilities for the region.

There will be no changes in Silversea's Singapore office, which will continue to report to Odell in London.

The sales and marketing staff responsible for the European market, based in Monaco, will now report to Odell. The company also announced plans to open a new office in Frankfurt, which will be operational in the second half of this year, underscoring the importance of the German market. This new office will also have the responsibility for managing Austria and Switzerland.

Trudy Redfern, senior vice president for U.K., Ireland and Middle East markets, has decided to leave Silversea as of June 30, after more than seven years with the company. Redfern was instrumental in developing business in the U.K., which is the company's second largest market.

At the company's office in Fort Lauderdale, Kenneth Watson will maintain global marketing and sales responsibility while heading up sales for the Americas.

Steve Tucker will continue in his role as vice president of field sales for North America and  Melissa Araya will continue in her role as director of sales for Central and South America, and both will report directly to Kenneth Watson.                          Image: Melissa Araya