O’Hara will take up the position alongside her current role at the Port of Tyne as commercial director.

The Steering Group, which oversees and advises on Cruise Britain’s activities, will also welcome new members Rebekah Keeler, head of cruise for ABP Southampton, Kate Smith, passenger operations manager for Liverpool Cruise Terminal and Ian Diaper, head of operations for Portsmouth International Port, to the association.

O’Hara said, who has been involved with Cruise Britain since its inception in 2008 and was chair until 2013, said she was "delighted" to reprise the role, "albeit at a very different stage in the life of the association".

"Cruise Britain is thriving as a membership organisation and has worked tirelessly to support members and cruise lines over the course of the pandemic," she added.

"The industry has had a challenging two years and we will be building on the collaboration and cooperative working that has allowed our industry to restart successfully."

O’Hara joined the Port of Tyne in 2020 following a career in the cruise and wider travel industries.

A Northumbria University graduate, she has held senior management positions at Teesside Airport, Leeds Bradford Airport, the Port of Dover, and most recently as chief executive of London City Cruise Port.