Stragalinos, who has been with the company five years, will report to Deb Corbett, Ponant’s GM sales & marketing Asia Pacific.

Corbertt also appointed Wendy Macfarlane to the new job of yacht concierge and Jamie Van Jones joins the Paspaley Pearl by Ponant team as expedition sales executive.

Paspaley Pearl by Ponant, the former Island Escape operated by New Zealand’s collapsed Island Escape Cruises, is a partnership between Ponant and Paspaley Pearls.

Months of development

‘After months of development work, our new team is in place to support our valued trade partners in offering this incredible 30-guest boutique expedition motor yacht to their clients,’ Corbett said.

‘It’s an exciting chapter of growth as we continue to lead the way in innovation,’ she said.

‘I look forward to working with Alex and the team as we blend the legacies of two globally renowned names, Paspaley and Ponant.’