One of the most powerful and influential executives in the global cruising industry is now based in Southampton.

Pam Conover, president and chief operating officer of Cunard, will spend a large percentage of her time at the shipping line's headquarters in Southampton, while the remainder will be in Miami.

This is another significant move in Cunard's decision to emphasise the British traditions and roots of the operator of the most famous passenger liner in the world, Southampton's Queen Elizabeth 2.

Cunard also recently announced that its five-star vessel Caronia would in future be solely based in Southampton and be dedicated to the UK cruise market.

On top of this, Cunard is already preparing for the arrival in Southampton of its massive 150,000-ton mega-liner Queen Mary 2 next year, while plans are under way for the construction of a further city-based vessel to enter service in 2005.

"When it became very clear that the UK was going to be a major part of the growth of Cunard I took the decision to split my time between Southampton and the US,'' said Ms Conover.

"It is wonderful to now be able to spend time in Southampton, the port which has figured so largely in the company's past and which will play such an import role in its future.''

Previously her office was in Miami, where Cunard's parent company, the giant Carnival Corporation, has its head office.

Ms Conover is now closely involved with the construction of QM2 and the other, as yet un-named, cruise ship set to be built in Italy.

Pam Conover talks about her role in a special feature appearing in this Saturday's Daily Echo.