TORONTO — PONANT has appointed Samuel Chamberlain as its new Chief Executive Officer, Americas, effective April 1, 2024.
Taking over the reins from Navin Sawhney, Chamberlain most recently served as Vice President, Business Development for Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings, Joint Owner and Operator of Four Season Yachts. His experience also extends into the private aviation sector with Wheels Up, and luxury hospitality with Hilton and Waldorf Astoria.
On his new role at PONANT, Chamberlain said: “PONANT’s reputation for delivering luxury experiences and access to the world’s most remote destinations is unmatched. As CEO Americas, I am eager to contribute to a brand that aligns with my vision for luxury travel, where every journey enriches and explores undiscovered opportunities. It’s an honour to join a team that already consistently exceeds the expectations of its guests and partners.”
Noting Sawhney’s significant contributions to PONANT during his 10-year tenure as CEO Americas, Belinda Hindmarsh, Group Deputy CEO Global Business, extended her heartfelt thanks.
“Navin’s unwavering commitment and expertise have been tremendously valuable to PONANT during the last 10 years. Navin has been instrumental in enhancing our brand and business development in the America s for both PONANT and Paul Gauguin Cruises,” she said.
Sawhney will be staying on at PONANT in a Strategic Advisor capacity to provide continued support for the Executive Leadership team.
Sharing his thoughts on the transition, Sawhney said: “As I take on a new role as Strategic Advisor to PONANT’s CEO Hervé Gastinel and Belinda Hindmarsh, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity I have had to be part of this 10-year journey with PONANT. Together, we have built a remarkable brand in the U.S. marketplace, offering exceptional experiences aboard small ships in extraordinary places, form scattered islands to classical destinations.l I want to thank my team and share with them my pride in what we’ve accomplished and my optimism for the bright future ahead.”
Both Chamberlain and Sawhney will be based in PONANT’s New York City office.
