Thu, 14 Nov 2024 | BUSINESS SALE
Independent cruise retailer ROL Cruise has marked its upcoming 30th birthday by becoming employee owned. The company, which was founded in 1995, will now be owned by its highly experienced employees through an Employee Ownership Trust.
ROL Cruise offers a range of cruise holidays to travellers including traditional trips to Europe and the rest of the world as well as Christmas, Honeymoon, River and No Fly cruises for those looking for greener alternatives or simply because they have a fear of flying.
Based in Colchester, Essex, the company employs 138 people, with a strong staff retention rate of 98 per cent and an average length of service exceeding seven years. Over half of its employees have been with the company for more than five years, while 34 per cent have dedicated a decade or more to ROL Cruise. One staff member has been with the team since launch. This translates to nearly 950 years of combined experience in the cruise travel sector.
The move to an EOT is designed to safeguard the independence of ROL Cruise, ensuring the company’s legacy remains in the hands of its staff who it believes have been pivotal to its success. With this new ownership model, ROL Cruise aims to foster long-term stability, protect jobs, and provide enhanced opportunities to share the future successes of the business with its team.
Rosie Cairns, formerly joint Managing Director, will assume the role of CEO. Sarah Wikevand will continue in her current role as Managing Director focusing on strengthening key relationships and expanding strategic collaborations with commercial partners.
Jez Dickinson, who previously served as Chairman, will join the Board of the Corporate Trustee, where he will continue to contribute his expertise to the company’s overall direction.
Cairns said: “As we approach our 30th year, we are excited to celebrate our heritage and our fantastic staff. By becoming an employee-owned trust, we are securing the future of our company, our culture and, most importantly, the future for our incredibly loyal and experienced team."
Find out more about the increasing popularity of employee ownership trusts
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