Meet the team: HR

With her maiden voyage just around the corner, over the next month we’ll be introducing you to our colleagues, ship and shore, who have been working hard to get Queen Anne and her crew ready to set sail.  

In the first story in our people series, we meet Queen Anne’s HR Team, who are supporting Queen Anne’s crew in bringing her into service and enabling them to deliver an outstanding White Star Service to our guests. They’re also the first full team to be working from Queen Anne’s shipyard in Venice. 

Stuart Smart – HR Manager 
“It is an absolute privilege to be in the yard welcoming our 1,226 crew members from around the world, to be part of bringing the beautiful Queen Anne into service. Now the HR team are complete, we can concentrate on supporting the crew, getting the ship ready and delivering the White Star Service training we’re so renowned for. Undoubtably, Queen Anne will be a stunning addition to the fleet, delivered by the hard work that our ship’s company now embark on. ” 

Rachel Wallis – Crew Services Manager 
“This is a very exciting time for Cunard – soon to be sailing as four. I feel incredibly proud to be part of the inaugural Queen Anne team, and it is a pleasure to welcome familiar faces from across the fleet as well as our new recruits.

“There is nothing quite like seeing the ship come to life as crew arrive to the yard. I look forward to seeing the Burma Road bustling with ship’s company and know the rewarding sense of achievement we will all feel as we sail away with our first guests on board. 

Caren Kruger – Learning and Development Officer 
“I am incredibly proud to be part of the inaugural team onboard Queen Anne. It is exciting welcoming our joining crew to the yard, from familiar faces to those just starting their career with Cunard.  As this is my first time in a new build, I thought the unknown would be overwhelming, but it’s been such an adventure already – with the incredible support from both ship and shore teams.  I look forward to delivering the ‘Welcome to Queen Anne’ training sessions, immersing our crew in everything Queen Anne, and being part of the next chapter in Cunard’s history.” 

Maria Cortes – Assistant Manager, Payroll Services 
“I’m thrilled to be here at the shipyard, eagerly awaiting the chance to extend a spectacular welcome onboard Queen Anne to our crew and help them settle in smoothly.” 

Mohammed Halim – Crew Administrator  
“It’s such a rewarding experience to be a part of this magnificent piece of art we are creating, and it all begins with our Crew. We are all from different reaches of the globe, coming together to make ever-lasting memories for our colleagues and our guests. To be a part of something like this is truly beautiful”. 

Vladimir Petrovic – Crew & Welfare Manager 
“I am extremely excited and proud to play a part in the build and the arrival of Cunard’s 249th ship. Queen Anne will be new home away from home for her crew, and I am delighted to welcome our new colleagues to the Cunard family.”