Leaders in Focus featuring Paul Ludlow, President, Carnival UK & P&O Cruises

Welcome to Leaders in Focus, featuring exclusive conversations with prominent figures shaping industries and driving positive change. In this episode, we welcome Paul Ludlow, the President of Carnival UK & P&O Cruises, who over the last 23 years has become a driving force in his organisation, leading operational excellence, customer-centricity, and employee wellbeing.  

During the conversation, Paul shared his insights on what it's like leading one of the world’s largest and most complex entertainment companies. Under Paul’s leadership, the company continues to evolve, adapting itself to dynamic customer expectations and cultivating a challenger mentality that encourages constant growth.

Paul’s leadership style is built on trust, communication, and empathy. He is a firm believer in empowering his team, giving them the autonomy to thrive whilst maintaining open channels of communication. He emphasises proactive engagement from his leaders, valuing transparency and initiative to ensure alignment across the organisation. His high-trust approach allows his team the freedom to excel, provided they keep him informed of key developments.

Built on trust and communication, his leadership style also centres heavily around employee wellbeing. Responsible for over 15,000 people working both on-ship and shoreside, Paul stresses the need to create a supportive and enriching environment for each team member. He considers their wellbeing and success as integral to the company’s success and believes that without a motivated and energised workforce, it would be difficult to deliver memorable holiday experiences to guests.

Join us as Paul Ludlow, in conversation with Boyden’s Nick Robeson, shares his transformative leadership journey at Carnival UK and P&O Cruises. This insightful dialogue highlights how Paul places customer satisfaction, innovation, and employee wellbeing at the heart of his vision for the company’s future.