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Discover Ferries makes key director appointment after retirement

Discover Ferries has appointed Emma Batchelor as its new director following the retirement of Bill Gibbons who has been in the role for five years.

Batchelor, a former acting PR manager of DFDS Seaways, who has 20 years’ experience in public relations, said she was looking forward to “galvanising new generations” to take holidays by the sea.

She will replace Gibbons at the end of the year.

He also clocked up 19 years as director of the Passenger Shipping Association, which promoted ferry and cruise travel.

Gibbons, current director of Discover Ferries, said: “We have seen a sustained growth in car carryings in the past few years as more people recognise the advantages of simply hopping into their own car rather than the pressure of travelling through an airport.”

Last year Discover Ferries members carried 8.7million cars and 151,360 coaches.

Discover Ferries campaigns on behalf of its members and in the interests of ferry travellers, as well as promoting ferries.

It represents 10 ferry operators – including P&O Ferries, Stena Line and Irish Ferries – across UK and Ireland.

Kevin George, chairman of Discover Ferries, said: “I would like to congratulate Bill on his well-earned retirement and thank him for his great contribution and commitment to Discover Ferries and the industry.”

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