HX Expeditions has announced that Chief Executive Officer Gebhard Rainer is stepping down from his position.
According to a press release, the departure is a personal decision, as Rainer returns home to the United States to be closer to his family.
HX noted that he is committed to remaining in his role during a transition period over the next few months to ensure an orderly handover and is working closely with its board to ensure an orderly transition.
An executive search to identify and appoint the next CEO is currently underway, the company added in its statement.
“The board has full confidence in the exceptionally strong team Gebhard has built to lead HX through this transition. Since joining in 2024, he has brought stability, strong leadership, and a clear focus on the guest experience, from the first digital interaction to life on board,” said Alex Dichter, chair of the HX Board.
“We thank him for that contribution and respect his personal decision to return home to be closer to his family. Our focus now is on an orderly transition and appointing our next CEO. We will work closely with Gebhard throughout his notice period to deliver that.”
HX said that since joining in 2024, Rainer has helped the company strengthen its business, bringing stability and a renewed focus on growth. He has overseen a new digital booking system and guest app, and a stronger focus on the guest experience, both on board and ashore.
The expedition operator reportedly advanced its strategic objectives during his tenure, with year-to-date bookings up more than 25% globally, including 24% growth in the UK and 58% in the US.
“This has been a difficult decision, but returning home to the USA to be closer to my family is important to me. HX is a UK company headquartered in London, so leading the team from the US was not viable,” Rainer said.
“I am proud of what we have achieved together, strengthening the business and building momentum for the future. Thank you to our teams for their commitment and contribution. Throughout the transition, I will remain focused on delivering our strategy, supporting our crew and guests, and working with the board to ensure a smooth handover,” he added.
