Jeremy Fennell (L) will succeed Chris Matthews (R) as CEO of Harding+.

Harding+ has announced the appointment of Jeremy Fennell as Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 October 2026, as part of a planned leadership transition.

Fennell succeeds Chris Matthews, who has led the cruise retailer since 2023 and will move to the holding board as Executive Director, where he will continue to support the business.

Fennell joins Harding+ from SSP Group, where he most recently served as Group Chief Operating Officer. He previously held the role of CEO for Continental Europe and Nordics at SSP, overseeing operations across multiple markets. Before joining SSP, he spent more than 20 years at Dixons Carphone, including senior leadership positions at Carphone Warehouse and Dixons Travel.

Harding+ Chairman Mike Coupe said: “This is a well-planned transition process. Chris has strengthened Harding+ considerably and leaves the business well positioned for its next phase of growth. Jeremy brings precisely the skills and experience we need to continue that success, with deep operational expertise in travel concessions, a track record of driving growth at scale, and the international leadership to take Harding+ to its next level. I’m delighted to welcome him, and I look forward to continuing to work closely with both Jeremy and Chris as we move the business forward.”

Commenting on his appointment, Fennell said: “I’m delighted to be joining Harding+ as its next Chief Executive Officer. Harding has a unique position in travel retail and a genuinely exciting opportunity ahead. The transformation Chris and the team have built has created real momentum – and there is plenty more still to do, which is exactly what makes this such a compelling opportunity. I’m looking forward to working closely with colleagues across the business, our cruise line partners, and our brand and supplier partners to deliver even better retail experiences for our guests.”

During Matthews’ tenure, Harding+ invested in new systems and operational processes across its fleet, with the company reporting continued like-for-like sales growth and improved commercial performance.

Reflecting on the transition, Matthews said: “It’s been a genuine privilege to lead Harding+, and I’m proud of the business I’m handing over: trading is strong, like-for-like growth continues, and momentum across the fleet has never been better. I’ve known Jeremy for many years, and he is exactly the calibre of leader the business will benefit from, and I couldn’t ask for a better successor. I’m looking forward to continuing to support Jeremy, the team, and our cruise line partners from my new board position.”