William Gibbons, Director, Passenger Shipping Association
The Role of Cruise Industry Associations
Williams Gibbons has been director of the Passenger Shipping Association (PSA) since April 1994. Since that time he has worked to actively promote the UK cruising industry to UK holidaymakers and the travel trade, through the PSA’s Association of Cruise Experts (ACE) and the Discover Cruises PR Campaign. Since 2003 the PSA has been coordinating further PR activity, to promote travel by ferry.
The PSA is the trade association for both cruise and ferry companies based in the UK. Currently the PSA has 32 (amounting to 40 brands) Cruise, 14 Ferry and 70 Associate Members (the associate scheme being launched in 2004). In 2004 Bill was very involved in setting up the European Cruise Council (ECC). He is currently Marketing Director of the ECC. In early 2009 the PSA took on the administration of cruiseBritain with the aim to reinvigorate Britain as an exciting cruise destination.
From 1990 to 1994 William was an independent management consultant, working particularly in the ferry industry, whilst also studying for an MBA degree. William previously held the post of general manager of Sealink Isle of Wight ferries, prior to which he was the service manager and then ferry line manager for the Harwich Hook of Holland ferry route.
William was previously assistant shipping and port manager for the Port of Harwich and worked on the Channel Island services from Portsmouth.
William has two children and lives in London and Dorset. He is also a Justice of the Peace (J.P) in central London.