HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions) has appointed an inaugural Chief Expedition Officer (CXO) with Alex McNeil stepping into the newly created C-suite role. As CXO, McNeil will oversee all aspects of the company’s global itineraries and expedition experiences.
With more than 15 years’ experience and almost 200 expeditions, including 14 to the Geographic North Pole, McNeil brings his unparalleled expertise and vision to the expedition company.
The promotion follows his recent tenure as HX Senior Vice President of Product & Guest Experience for 18 months and Director of Expedition Experience & Innovation at Quark Expeditions before joining Hurtigruten Group.
The announcement also comes as the expedition company continues to expand its offerings, including new 2025-26 sailings to Greenland and the Norwegian Arctic.
HX CEO Gebhard Rainer said the pioneering CXO role was inspired by the company’s exploration heritage.
“Alex will leverage his extensive experience and business acumen to maximise the experiences of the next generation of explorers who travel with HX,” he said.
“Alex has already been a transformative leader within our organisation since he joined. His vision and dedication to mindful adventure have significantly advanced our product innovation capacity and deepened our community partnerships.
“As CXO, Alex will continue to lead us into a new era of expedition cruising, ensuring we remain at the forefront of driving sustainable practices.”
McNeil said: “Having experienced historical sites like Nansen’s overwintering site at Cape Norway and the wreck of Amundsen’s ship Maud, I deeply understand HX’s pioneering ethos.”
“I am honoured to step into this role and work with our exceptional teams to create next-generation expedition experiences prioritising sustainability, cultural engagement and scientific discovery.”
Find out more at travelhx.com
