European cruise company, The Costa Group has announced that Rossella Carrara joined the company on January 14, as Costa Group vice president external relations and sustainability.

In her new role, Carrara will supervise communication, sustainability and public affairs activities for the Costa Cruises brand in Europe, reporting directly to the president, Neil Palomba. She will also have the task of coordinating strategic communication for Costa Group with the Group CEO Costa Group and Carnival Asia, Michael Thamm. The Costa Crociere Foundation will also be part of Carrara’s remit.

“Rossella brings our management team a high level of consolidated experience,” said Thamm,

“As our company continues to grow and lead the cruise industry in Europe and Asia, we want to increase our visibility in the markets where we operate, and communicate the many pioneering initiatives that Costa has undertaken while strengthening our cooperation with all our main stakeholders. I am sure that Rossella will be able to help us achieve these objectives.”

Carrara has over 20 years of experience as a strategic consultant supporting major multinational companies in various sectors, from shipping to technology, retail to consumer goods, tourism to healthcare. Before joining Costa, Carrara was deputy managing director of APCO Worldwide in Italy, where she was responsible for public affairs, stakeholder engagement, corporate responsibility and communication activities, both nationally and internationally. Before APCO, she was senior director of Burson Marsteller, focusing on crisis communication in particular.

During her career, Carrara has gained a detailed knowledge of Costa and the cruise industry, having worked closely with the company over the past 15 years on various communication and public affairs projects. She has also had the opportunity to work with some Costa’s partner companies, such as Fincantieri, San Giorgio del Porto, Chantier Naval de Marseille, and with industry associations such as CLIA and Confitarma.