kabarsula Virgin Voyages promotes Lebbern as ANZ sales surge 30%, more hires planned bandar SLOT INDONESIA

Virgin Voyages has promoted Matt Lebbern to market director for Europe and Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), as the cruise line prepares to expand its Australian team following 30 per cent revenue growth across the region.

Effective immediately, Lebbern will lead commercial strategy across Europe and ANZ, with European revenue tracking 27 per cent ahead of last year and the region on course for a record year.

Lebbern has played a key role in building the cruise line’s presence in both markets. In Europe, he expanded distribution and established the brand in new markets, while in Australia he has spent the past year reshaping operations and removing barriers to growth.

In July, Virgin Voyages appointed industry veteran David Clark as head of sales for Australia and New Zealand. Clark is the cruise line’s first team member based in Australia and reports to Lebbern. Another Australian team member is expected to join, with an announcement due in the fourth quarter.

Under his expanded remit, Lebbern will oversee sales, trade partnerships, distribution and market development, while providing strategic direction for trade engagement, public relations and international marketing. He will continue reporting to Stephen Hopkins, senior vice president of growth and international sales and marketing.

The cruise line’s global momentum also reached a milestone on August 13, when it recorded its highest revenue day in company history following the launch of its inaugural Scandinavia and Baltics program for 2028.

“Europe and ANZ are both firing, and it’s a joy to be leading them,” Lebbern said.

“Europe is heading for a record year, on top of a very successful 2025, and ANZ is up 30 per cent, with Sailors booking further ahead than ever before, with average lead times of 12 months.”

Lebbern said the past year had focused on laying the foundations for Australian growth, adding that Clark’s appointment demonstrated the brand’s long-term commitment to the market.

“You’ll be seeing a lot more of us across both regions: in market, in front of First Mates and at the heart of the trade community,” he said.

“Our First Mates are the driving force behind our growth, and our job now is to keep giving them everything they need to sell us with confidence.”

Hopkins said Europe and ANZ had become key growth markets for the cruise line, crediting Lebbern with expanding European distribution and reshaping its approach to Australia and New Zealand.

“Expanding his role recognises the way he already thinks about the business as a whole, and I’m incredibly excited about what he and the team will deliver next,” Hopkins said.