Riviera Travel Welcomes Matt Luscombe as New CEO Starting 2026

Riviera Travel has appointed Matt Luscombe as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective from January 1, 2026. He will succeed Phil Hullah, who is stepping down on the same date but will assist during the transition period and remain a significant shareholder in the company.

Luscombe arrives at Riviera with extensive leadership experience across the travel, leisure, and retail sectors. Most recently, he served as CEO of Freemans Event Partners, where he expanded the company’s multi-service event solutions, reaching over 15 million people annually at more than 600 events in the UK and Europe. His previous role as CEO at Cycas Hospitality, one of Europe’s largest hotel management companies, saw the business quadruple in size, expanding into eleven new countries and employing over 2,000 people.

Luscombe also has a substantial background with the InterContinental Hotels Group, where he spent a decade, culminating in the role of Chief Commercial Officer for Europe and North Africa. In this capacity, he managed $4 billion in revenue and an $85 million sales and marketing budget.

Board of Directors Expresses Confidence in New Leadership

Andrew Strong, Chairman of Riviera, expressed enthusiasm for Luscombe’s appointment, stating, “We are delighted to welcome Matt as Riviera Travel’s new CEO. His proven ability to deliver growth and innovate across the leisure and hospitality sectors positions him perfectly to lead Riviera into its next chapter.” Strong acknowledged Hullah’s significant contributions since joining the company in 2019, particularly during the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Under Hullah’s guidance, Riviera became the UK’s leading river cruise and escorted tours operator, achieving record financial performance and expanding its offerings, including the introduction of products such as Signature and Solos.

In his statement, Luscombe shared his excitement about the opportunity, saying, “I am truly honoured to be taking on the role of CEO and excited to work alongside Riviera’s exceptional team of passionate professionals.” He emphasized the importance of continuing to expand across all product lines and enhancing the customer experience.

Phil Hullah reflected on his tenure, expressing gratitude to the staff and customers for their loyalty and commitment. He stated, “Riviera is in a great position, and I am confident the business will continue to reach new heights under Matt’s leadership.”

As Riviera Travel prepares for this leadership transition, all eyes will be on Luscombe to see how he will steer the company through its next phase of growth and innovation.