Cruise and Ferry Review - Summer/Spring 2020

1 2 1 Delft Seaways is one of several DFDS ferries operating on the English Channel INTERV IEW Digital solutions Torben Carlsen took over as chief executive of DFDS in 2019, having previously served as chief financial officer. Sandra Speares asks him about his new role and priorities A s the chief financial officer of DFDS since 2009, Torben Carlsen worked very closely with his predecessor, Niels Smedegaard, and he has been responsible or jointly responsible for all major developments that have shaped the company as it is today. This includes the company’s new Win23 strategy, which outlines four strategic pillars to drive the company’s growth until 2023. “This course will be maintained, and therefore it has been a rather smooth transition to my new role as chief executive,” says Carlsen. One of Carlsen’s key priorities in his new role has been to put a new executive management team in place to support the company’s updated structure. “This is now done, and we have a strong group management team, which comprises both new people with new ways and very experienced and knowledgeable executives,” he explains. The implementation of the Win23 strategy is another of Carlsen’s main priorities. “With Win23 we want to grow our business by growing the transport business in certain industries, launching more digital solutions, growing our network ashore and at sea, and increasing the value of our passenger offerings,” he says. “This includes more personalised offers, tour offers and new cruise ferries for the route between Amsterdam, Netherlands and Newcastle, England.” Preparing for Britain’s exit from the European Union has been top of the to-do list for 2020. “The changes will most likely “We’re investing in shore power facilities in Oslo and Copenhagen”