Former Silversea Cruises CEO Takes Over at Luxe Travel Giant Abercrombie & Kent

Abercrombie & Kent has a new CEO following a recent change in ownership.

In February this year, Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, the former owner of the Silversea cruise line, announced the purchase of an 85 percent stake in the luxury tour operator for an undisclosed figure.

Now Lefebvre has brought in Amerigo Perasso, who spent 14 years at Silversea  serving as CEO between 2007 and 2010, to head up his newly acquired company.

Founder and former CEO Geoffrey Kent, who owns 15 percent, moves to become co-chairman with Lefebvre.

“We are pleased to welcome Amerigo Perasso as the new CEO of the Abercrombie & Kent Group. He will be working closely with us and the board of the directors to implement our strategic vision,” said Kent. “He brings substantial operating expertise in luxury leisure travel and cruising to our organization.”

Lefebvre's purchase came after he sold a 66.6 percent stake in Silversea to Royal Caribbean for $1 billion, although his investment in Abercrombie & Kent is held separately, through an entity called Heritage Group.

Speaking to Skift at the time of the deal announcement in February, Kent said he hoped the deal would help the company grow its global footprint with the aim of opening up between five and ten destination management companies a year.”