L-R: Lisa Bauer, President and CEO and John McGirl, Chief People Experience Officer.

Seasoned cruise sector leader John McGirl has been appointed into the new role of Chief People Experience Officer at Starboard Cruise Services.

McGirl will begin in his role at the LVMH Moët Hennessy company on 4 April, join the Starboard Executive Leadership Team, and report directly to President and CEO Lisa Bauer.

He will ‘lead, shape and advance all aspects of Starboard’s worldwide employee experience by implementing new strategic initiatives and identifying opportunities that align with the company’s overall mission’, read a statement.

It added that ‘he will be essential in shaping and advancing the company’s culture while fostering diversity, equity and inclusion standards’ by bringing 30 years’ experience to the role.

Previously, he was Chief Operations Officer for privately owned residential yacht ‘The World’, where he directed and developed business initiatives to steer the onboard experience for residents, guests and crew.

In addition, he has held a string of executive level positions in the cruise industry with Cunard Line, The Yachts of Seabourn, Royal Caribbean International, Azamara and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.