The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust
Chief Executive
With the founding Chief Executive’s upcoming retirement, we are seeking an exceptional individual to serve as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust, an iconic symbol of British maritime history and now an award winning five-star visitor attraction in Leith, Edinburgh.
The Royal Yacht BRITANNIA has a rich legacy as a floating palace, the former royal residence of Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II, and still stands as a symbol of British excellence. In her new role as a floating museum, BRITANNIA has officially been Scotland’s ‘Best Visitor Attraction’ for 14 years’ running and is currently TripAdvisor’s No.1 UK Attraction. Last year, BRITANNIA returned to pre-covid levels welcoming just over 360,000 visitors from around the World to experience its market leading quality service and unique heritage.
As CEO, you will be responsible for leading the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of BRITANNIA and her sister ship, MV FINGAL, a five star static floating hotel and currently the AA’s Hotel of the Year Scotland. Working closely with the Board of Trustees and senior management team, you will uphold the former Royal Yacht’s esteemed reputation by ensuring outstanding visitor experiences.
You will lead a dedicated team of highly skilled professionals across various departments, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration and innovation. As CEO, you will be expected to cultivate excellent relationships with stakeholders, including the Royal Collection Trust, the Association of Royal Yachtsmen, government agencies, corporate partners and the local community to support the Trust’s charitable objectives. You will also be responsible for overseeing financial performance, budgeting, and resource allocation to ensure sustainable growth and operational efficiency. Finally, you will uphold the Trust’s commitment to market leading excellence in hospitality, preservation of maritime heritage and environmental stewardship.
We are looking for an individual with a proven track record of executive leadership, not necessarily in the hospitality, tourism, or heritage sector but, more importantly, with a passion for delivering exceptional customer experiences and driving business growth in a customer facing environment . The successful candidate must possess strong strategic planning and decision-making skills, with the ability to navigate complex challenges and have an entrepreneurial mindset to capitalize on emerging opportunities.
As CEO you will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and inspire stakeholders and colleagues at all levels.
If you are a dynamic leader with a vision for the future of The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust, we would be delighted to hear from you. Join us in preserving history, inspiring visitors and shaping the legacy of this iconic British institution.
Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to The Royal Yacht Britannia on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit www.saxbam.com/appointments using reference DBNRA. Alternatively telephone +44 (0)20 7227 0880 (during office hours). Applications should be received by noon on 15th May 2024.
In her new role as a floating museum, BRITANNIA has officially been Scotland’s ‘Best Visitor Attraction’ for 14 years’ running and is currently TripAdvisor’s No.1 UK Attraction.