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Bill Gibbons to retire
Bill Gibbons, former long-time director of the Passenger Shipping Association and head of industry body Discover Ferries, is to retire.
He will be replaced at Discover Ferries by Emma Batchelor, a former UK PR manager for DFDS Seaways.
Gibbons led cruise and ferry body Passenger Shipping Association for 19 years before it merged into CLIA UK in 2013, after which he joined Discover Ferries.
Kevin George, chairman of Discover Ferries said: "I would like to congratulate Bill on his well-earned retirement and thank him for his great contribution and commitment to Discover Ferries and the industry.
"Whilst he will certainly be missed, I am very pleased to welcome Emma aboard and look forward to working with her and our members to further promote the benefits of ferry travel."
Batchelor has 20 years’ experience in public relations and marketing. "I am delighted to announce Emma Batchelor as my successor and to lead the campaign for the future," said Gibbons.
"The role of Discover Ferries is to promote ferry travel and holidays and to campaign on behalf of its members and in the interests of ferry travellers. We have seen a sustained growth in car carryings in the past few years as more people recognise the advantages of simply hopping into their own car and enjoying the flexibility, value and freedom of a break by sea rather than the pressure of travelling through an airport.
"I wish Emma and the members every success in driving even more growth in the future and I am certain Emma has the right skills and experience to take Discover Ferries forward."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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