Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines to bid farewell to Mike Evans after an impressive 27 years
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines will be waving a fond farewell to Mike Evans, the company’s Head of Sales, in April 2019, after an impressive 27-year career with Fred. Olsen. Mike is very well-known within the travel industry, having worked in many areas of the travel trade, including retail, tour operating, tourist boards and airline sales, across a career spanning over 40 years.
Mike joined Fred. Olsen in 1992, back when the company operated only one ship, the iconic Black Prince.
Mike said:
“I have decided to retire from Fred. Olsen at the end of April next year, having spent 27 years and a large part of my working life at this company. It is a tough decision to make, but one that I am happy with, as I have a lot of plans to fulfill in my retirement.
“It has been a great pleasure and privilege to work with such excellent colleagues, friends and travel trade partners for so long, and I am certain that there is a great future ahead for both the company and the relationships that we have built up over the past 27 years.”
Mike Rodwell, Managing Director of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:
“We are very sad to be saying goodbye to such a close colleague as Mike, but of course, we all wish him the best on his retirement, which is very well-deserved!
“With his broad industry experience, extensive knowledge of Fred. Olsen’s unique style of cruising, and excellent reputation with our travel industry partners, Mike has been an absolute asset to the company over the nearly three decades that he has been with us, and he has seen us grow and develop as a major international cruise brand.
“We will all miss Mike a great deal and wish him well in his future adventures, wherever they may take him!”
Mike has fulfilled a number of roles within Fred. Olsen’s Sales Department over the years, including Regional Sales Manager for the North of England, Scotland & Northern Ireland.
Mike took over his most recent role at Fred. Olsen – as Head of Sales – in April 2017, which has led to him playing a pivotal part in developing the company’s relationship with the important travel trade, and overseeing the Sales team, both in-house and field-based.
A number of Mike’s industry friends and colleagues have been paying tribute:
“We love working with you – and you will be sorely missed by all of us here – but you deserve the very best retirement (you’ve definitely earned it).” Elaine Ross, Iglu.com
“It has been a pleasure to work with you over all these years – from a personal as well as business point of view. The years have really flown by! I will certainly miss you in the industry but of course wish you all the best in your retirement. Thanks for everything Mike, a real star of the industry!” Andrew Runacres, Vision Cruise
“Fred. Olsen will seem a little strange without your enthusiasm and drive for a while, I’m sure. There is no doubt that you will leave the company and its relationship with the trade in a far stronger place than it has been for many years.I really do sincerely wish you all the best in your retirement.” Alan Godfrey, Ocean World Travel
“We just think the world of you here at Stewart Travel Group. Fred. Olsen will not be the same without you. Life is too short not to grab all the opportunities that come your way and I know your bucket list is long and I am sure you will be sailing along a river fulfilling some of these. Thank you again.” Karen Stewart, Stewart Travel Group
“Wow…that’s the end of an era Mike…what an amazing career and achievement of 27 years. Wishing you a very well deserved long and happy retirement.” Julie Kendrick, Midcounties Co-operative Travel
Mike’s successor as Head of Sales at Ipswich-based Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is currently being sought.
