AS cruising giant Carnival UK strengthens its grip on the rapidly expanding British market, a major reshuffle of top executives has taken place at its Southampton headquarters.

This comes at a highly significant time as Carnival UK, the parent company of Cunard, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises and Ocean Village, prepares for the arrival of two brand new superliners, Queen Victoria and Ventura, both of which will be based in Southampton.

Carnival is building its new UK headquarters in West Quay Road in Southampton, where it will have space for up to 1,200 staff.

The changing roles for the company's top decision-makers follows the appointment of David Dingle as chief executive officer.

Mr Dingle was previously managing director of Carnival UK, a position he assumed following the merger of Miami-based Carnival Corporation and P&O Princess Cruises in 2003.

One of the most influential executives within the industry, Mr Dingle joined P&O in 1978, holding a number of positions until being named managing director in 2000. Active within the wider cruise industry, he also currently serves as president of the UK Chamber of Shipping and chairman of the European Cruise Council.

Micky Arison, chairman and CEO of Carnival, said: "Like many people in our organisation, David has had a long and successful career in the cruise business and has literally grown up at P&O, having put in 30 years working his way through the ranks.'' In the other moves, Nigel Esdale has been promoted to managing director of P&O Cruises while Peter Shanks has been moved up to chief commercial officer, Carnival UK, responsible for Cunard globally and Princess Cruises in the UK.

Mr Esdale, previously commercial director of P&O Cruises, joined the shipping line in 1984 and has spent all his working career with the company, having occupied a series of commercial positions for both the P&O Cruises and Princess brands.

Peter Shanks, formerly managing director of Ocean Village, where he successfully launched the brand, will have Carol Marlow reporting to him. She continues in her current role as managing director and president of Cunard.

While retaining his responsibilities for the UK commercial performance of Princess Cruises, Mr Shanks' new role draws together the two global brands within Carnival UK, with particular focus on relationships with the US.

Nick Lighton becomes managing director of Ocean Village and also takes responsibility for all the company's air programmes, while Giles Hawke takes the new title of sales director, Carnival UK.

Mr Dingle said: "We are growing the Carnival UK business rapidly as the focus of the cruise industry moves towards Europe.

"We are building two new ships for P&O Cruises, integrating the global operations of Cunard into the UK as well as introducing the new ocean liner Queen Victoria, and consolidating the recent expansion of Ocean Village.

"To achieve this we need a strong management structure and I am very pleased to have working with me such an accomplished and professional Carnival UK director team."