22 December, 2007

NORTHERN isles ferry operator NorthLink has appointed a new commercial director who will take over in March.

Cynthia Spencer, who is originally from Kirkwall, Orkney, will replace Gareth Crichton who has left to pursue his own Orkney business interests after five years with the company.

In 1993, Ms Spencer joined global credit card giant Visa in London and graduated through the ranks to become head of product management for Europe with Visa Commercial.

In that role she had responsibility across Europe for the placement, price and promotion of Visa’s commercial offerings.

Ms Spencer said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to have been given this opportunity. In a sense it provides the chance to return to my roots and to become deeply involved with a service which is so crucial to the continued wellbeing of the islands communities.

“Like all islanders I grew up with a constant awareness of the lifeline services provided by the ‘Northboats’.

“To be able to join NorthLink at this time in its development and at this stage in my career is a bit of a dream come true.”

Previously she had responsibility for marketing with Visa in the Iberia and Nordic territories. This included negotiating and implementing a deal with the Portuguese football team for Visa to become the national side’s main sponsor.

NorthLink chief executive Bill Davidson said: “The selection process was extremely rigorous and attracted a very large number of high calibre candidates.

“Cynthia brings some unique talents to the role. She is Orcadian by birth and therefore understands the importance of lifeline ferry services to all island communities.

“Additionally, working as she has across Europe for a number of years, she provides a true international dimension.”