Exclusive: Ellen Bettridge Named Uniworld’s New President, CEO

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, an all-inclusive river cruise line, is planning to announce later this morning the appointment of Ellen Bettridge as president and CEO.

But Luxury Travel Advisor already has the scoop.

Bettridge succeeds Guy Young, who is being promoted and will take on two new roles at The Travel Corporation (TTC), Uniworld’s parent company. Bettridge will begin her new position effective August 6 and Young will work with her to ensure a smooth transition prior to joining TTC.  

The announcement is scheduled to be made today by Brett Tollman, chief executive of The Travel Corporation.

“It is my great privilege and pleasure to welcome Ellen to our team at Uniworld,” said Tollman in a written release. “I have known and admired Ellen for many years. She is a superbly capable and talented travel industry professional, with an exceptional reputation and a winning track-record. I am confident that Ellen will make a consequential and instrumental contribution to Uniworld’s performance and success, and the team and I very much look forward to working closely with her.”

Bettridge will be responsible for managing and overseeing Uniworld’s global business, including operations and financial performance, product development, the industry’s foremost guest experience, service enrichment and onboard/onshore programming. She will also specifically focus on growing and expanding Uniworld’s business, as well as furthering its leadership and innovation in the river cruise industry.

“It is an honor for me to take the helm of the world’s finest river cruise line,” said Bettridge. “I look forward to partnering with Brett and collaborating with the entire Uniworld team to ensure that the Company continues to lead and maintain the standard of excellence in the river cruise industry, as well as to create innovative experiences, programs and services that appeal to the most discerning and inspired travelers throughout the world.”

Bettridge joins Uniworld from Azamara Club Cruises, where she has served as vice president of sales and marketing, responsible for growing Azamara’s markets in the Americas, as well as for developing strategic relationships with trade and marketing partners.  

Bettridge has also held the position of president for Americas at Silversea Cruise Ltd., where she developed and implemented successful sales strategies and marketing campaigns throughout the U.S., Canada and Latin America.  

Prior to Silversea, Bettridge held various positions at American Express for more than 20 years, initially as a travel counselor and most recently as vice president of retail travel business, responsible for the management of travel and financial services in 28 owned locations in the U.S., 300 employees and 150 franchisee partners.
 

Young, who will continue to be based in the company’s Encino office, is being promoted and will take on two newly created and exceptionally important roles; global brand engagement officer at TTC, reporting to Tollman, and president of Costsaver, Trafalgar's fast-growing value brand, reporting to Gavin Tollman, CEO of Trafalgar.

Visit www.uniworld.com and www.ttc.com.