Ocean Independence, one of the world's leading brokerage houses headquartered in Küsnacht, Switzerland, is strengthening its management team by adding the role of Chief Operating Officer. André Mahr is moving from A-ROSA Cruises to Ocean Independence for this position. At the same time Ocean Independences announces that the new title of Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) has been awarded to Toby Maclaurin, who has been with the company for 16 years, formerly as Sales & Charter Director across all 15 Ocean Independence offices.
André Mahr is a German national who has been living and working in Switzerland since 2019. Starting out as a naval and commercial seaman after attending University of Applied Sciences in Wismar/Germany, André rose to the rank of Captain before coming ashore, soon taking leading roles in safety, operational and managerial departments - and then having senior development and executive positions - with AIDA Cruises, Costa Crociere and its parent company Carnival Corporation. Before André relocated to Switzerland, he was tasked by Carnival with establishing the operational management for the fleet in Shanghai. In Switzerland André was instrumental in setting up the operational fleet of A-ROSA.
André Mahr will ensure operational excellence throughout the company. IT, banking and a solid support structure as well as an expanded QMS will play an important part, and at the same time the COO will guide and assist Administration and Support Team Members in ensuring that all Sales & Charter Consultants and Yacht Managers have an efficient, robust infrastructure and the best possible tools available with which to perform their tasks, thus enabling them to even better service existing clients and to attract new business. In this new role for Ocean Independence, André will be working collaboratively with the CEO, the CCO, other C-level members when applicable and with all Group Directors, Department Heads and the whole team.
Peter Hürzeler, CEO of Ocean Independence, comments: “André brings a wealth of experience to our team, with a strong background in operational leadership. We believe that his previous roles have equipped him with the skills and insights needed to help us achieving our ambitious goals. We see this as an important step in our strategic development, strongly benefiting the business and, as a result, all who work for Ocean Independence. I am positively thrilled about this significant new addition to our leadership team.”
André Mahr adds: “I am delighted to be joining the management team of such a global player in yachting and I am sure that my skills and my professional career in the maritime sector will help the company to continue on its growth path.”