Fred. Olsen Appoints Leanna Lakes as Fleet Operations Director
The move reflects a wider push among smaller cruise lines to tighten ship-to-shore oversight as fleets evolve and operational standards rise.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has appointed Leanna Lakes as its technical and marine operations director. The role is newly created. She will oversee captains, quality and resource functions, port operations, and the company's technical staff in Norway.
The position is intended to coordinate technical, shoreside and shipboard teams across Fred. Olsen's three ocean ships: Bolette, Borealis and Balmoral.
Samantha Stimpson, chief executive officer of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, welcomed the appointment.
"Leanna joins Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines as a Master Mariner with more than 25 years of senior maritime operational experience," Stimpson said. Her "practical insight, technical knowledge and first hand understanding of shipping operations will be invaluable," she added.
Lakes has worked in senior cruise and passenger-shipping roles spanning safety and executive leadership in the UK maritime sector. She has also held non-executive and advisory appointments with the Merchant Navy Training Board and the UK Chamber of Shipping.
"It's an absolute privilege to join Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines," Lakes said. She added that she is looking forward to "getting aboard the ships to meet the crew" and learn more about the company's operations.
