HX has appointed Kelvin Murray as its new Director, Expedition Operations, joining the operations leadership team at a “pivotal time” as the expedition cruise line celebrates its 130-year milestone.Murray will report directly to HX’s Chief Operations Officer Iain McNeill, and will work closely across both Operations and Commercial teams to elevate and ensure a “consistently outstanding” Guest Expedition Experience.“Kelvin is a world-class expedition leader and operational strategist with an instinct for people, place, and purpose,” said McNeill said.
“At this moment, 130 years into our history, Kelvin’s vision and experience will be instrumental in raising the bar for our guests and our expedition teams. He joins us with an impeccable record and a passion for excellence that matches HX’s legacy.”
Most recently, Head of Expeditions at EYOS Expeditions, Murray has built up a global reputation as an operational expert over his decades in the field, leading trips across every continent and ocean. He has also worked with other expedition cruise companies including Oceanwide Expeditions and Lindblad.Subscribe to LATTE Cruise’s free eNewsletter to keep up to date with everything in the luxury cruise space.Murray has been involved in some ground-breaking activities including taking the largest passenger ship to date through the Northwest Passage, producing the first live 4K broadcast from Antarctica, and guiding record-setting submersible explorations of the deep ocean. He has also served on AECO’s Executive Committee, several IAATO committees, and held roles with conservation societies and the British Antarctic Survey. He is also known for his popular TEDx talk on ‘Expedition Resilience’.“I’m thrilled to join HX and help build upon their successful and extensive expedition heritage,” Murray said. “These trips are as much about people as they are places, and I’m looking forward to working with the team to continue HX being a safe, sustainable, mindful and cool way to explore the world.”
