Antonio Paradiso to be appointed MD for MSC Cruises UK and Ireland

Geneva, Switzerland and London – 25 January 2016 – MSC Cruises, the Swiss-based world’s largest privately-owned cruise line and market leader in Europe, South America and South Africa, announced today the appointment of Antonio Paradiso as Managing Director (MD) for the MSC Cruises’ business in the UK and Ireland, effective 1 March 2016. Antonio will be replacing outgoing MD, Giles Hawke, who will be leaving the Company in April 2016.
 
Mr Paradiso is currently based at MSC Cruises’ global headquarters in Geneva as Executive Director, Emerging Markets. He will take up this new, London-based role bringing with him great experience coming from an extensive MSC Cruises background. Formerly trade manager for Germany, Austria & Switzerland, in 2012 he was promoted to Executive Director, Emerging Markets – a position from which he oversaw and managed MSC Cruises’ Commercial and Sales Strategy in over 30 countries across three continents.
 
Mr Paradiso will remain - in the interim - Executive Director, Emerging Markets. At the same time, Achille Staiano, currently Head of Commercial Services, will assume on an ad interim basis market responsibility for Australia, Scandinavia and South Africa, three markets formerly part of Giles Hawke’s portfolio.
 
Gianni Onorato, Chief Executive Officer MSC Cruises, commented: “Antonio will be a strong successor to Giles as we look to grow further our business in the UK and Ireland. To best prepare for this, over the next two months Giles and Antonio will be working closely together on a full handover and familiarisation of the MSC Cruises business, its partners and other key stakeholders across both markets.”
 
Mr Hawke has been with MSC Cruises for over two years and made a significant contribution to the business and the brand in the markets for which he held responsibility during this time.
 
Mr Onorato continued: “I wish to thank Giles for his contribution to the business during his time with MSC Cruises. At the same time, this is an exciting time for our UK and Ireland business and a great opportunity for Antonio to lead the next phase of our growth in both markets.”