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Carnival Corporation makes two key appointments

Written by Nick Blenkey
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Julia Brown

MARCH 26, 2015 — Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world’s largest cruise company has named Julia M. Brown to the newly created role of Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) and James Chedgey as vice president of global financial planning and analysis.

As CPO, Ms. Brown will oversee strategic sourcing and supplier relationship management. As part of this new role, she will work closely with the company’s nine brands and their support groups to strategically procure goods and services to strengthen the company’s supplier relationships and leverage its global scale.

Ms. Brown most recently served as CPO on the global management team at Mondelez International, which split from Kraft Foods in 2012. Prior to the split, Brown served as CPO and SVP of global procurement at Kraft Foods, responsible for the company’s $30 billion strategic sourcing function. Prior to Kraft, she served as CPO and VP of corporate procurement and contract manufacturing at Clorox. She began her career at Procter & Gamble and also served in strategic roles at Diageo and Gillette.

Ms. Brown is on the board for the Executive Leadership Foundation and also serves as a trustee for the African American Experience Fund, which is part of The National Park Service. She also serves as a board member for the Primo Center in Chicago.Ms. Brown has been named as one of the top 100 most “Influential Blacks in Corporate America” by Savoy Magazine, the top 100 Women to Watch by Today’s Chicago Woman and listed in Black Enterprise’s Top 75 Most Powerful Women in Business.

She received a Bachelor of Commerce from McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada.

“We are excited to have Julia join us as part of our global management team and take on this new role that will be critical in helping us further leverage our scale, accelerating our drive to double-digit returns on invested capital,” said Arnold Donald, president & CEO for Carnival Corporation & plc. “I’ve had the opportunity to get to know Julia through our mutual association with the Executive Leadership Council, and she not only has an exceptional track record of leading procurement at companies with massive global operations, but also has a highly strategic and collaborative approach that will help us partner more closely with our suppliers to exceed guest expectations and drive value for the business.”

Carnival Corporation’s Chief Operations Officer Alan Buckelew added, “As we have become increasingly global, the role of coordinating our procurement and supply chains has become more and more complex. At the same time, our global sourcing function creates opportunities for us to improve guest experiences onboard our ships and collaborate across our brands to operate more efficiently. Julia brings a depth of leadership and experience that will help us capitalize on those opportunities, as we build on the success our teams have already achieved.”

Ms. Brown will report to Josh Leibowitz, chief strategy officer for Carnival Corporation, and will be based at the company’s headquarters in Miami.

“Julia is a highly respected individual with a collaborative and engaging style that has earned her a strong reputation for being able to build and inspire global teams. She will be an incredible addition to our global leadership team, and we’re excited to see her positive impacts on our organization,” said Mr. Leibowitz. “Our brands are increasingly working together to deepen relationships with our suppliers, so I look forward to working closely with Julia and our brand leaders to amplify those efforts, drive strategic sourcing partnerships and support our strategy to leverage our scale and exceed guest expectations.”

JAMES CHEDGEY

As vice president of global financial planning and analysis, James Chedgey will be responsible for working with senior management throughout the company to find new ways to enhance shareholder value. As part of the role, he will be integral in helping to develop Carnival’s corporate strategy, determining its public earnings guidance, and providing analytical support on long term planning and monthly forecasting, all of which will be key foundational contributors to the future success of the company. He will also work with the company’s senior leaders to ensure operational strength and financial flexibility across Carnival Corporation’s portfolio of nine brands.

Mr. Chedgey started his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers in London in 1999 before moving to BDO International. Following that, he spent more than four years at Charter International, a British engineering business. Prior to joining Carnival U.K. in 3013, Chedgey served in various roles of increasing responsibility with Royal Mail, including head of transformation finance operations.

He graduated from the University of Birmingham with a Bachelor of Commerce in business administration. He is a Chartered Accountant, earning his ACA qualification from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

“James brings more than 15 years of financial experience, and with his proven success supporting and engaging multiple cruise brands in his previous role, we’re excited to transition him into this global position,” said David Bernstein, chief financial officer for Carnival Corporation. “With our expanding global operations, new markets, new destinations and nine new cruise ships scheduled to be delivered between now and 2018, James will play a critical role in positioning the overall growth strategy and financial direction of the company.”

Mr. Chedgey will report to Josh Weinstein, treasurer of Carnival Corporation, and will be based at the company’s headquarters in Miami, relocating from Southampton, England where he previously served as corporate finance and planning director for Carnival U.K. As part of that role, he led the annual and long-term planning process for the company’s P&O Cruises and Cunard brands and partnered with the executive team in driving efficiencies into the company’s processes to support business objectives.

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