Former Silversea CEO Amerigo Perasso to Lead Abercrombie & Kent

After an ownership shakeup earlier this year, Abercrombie & Kent will get a new CEO.

The luxury tour operator announced Thursday Amerigo Perasso was named chief executive, effective immediately, replacing founder Geoffrey Kent.

Perasso spent 14 years with Silversea, and served as CEO from 2007 to 2010. He more recently worked as an advisor on mergers and acquisitions to investment funds and private investors.

Silversea chairman Manfredi Lefebvre took control of the company in Febraury, acquiring an 85% stake in A&K, while Kent maintained 15%. At the time of the annoucement, Kent was to remain chairman and CEO of the operating company, while Lefebvre became chairman of Abercrombie & Kent Holding.

The two long-time friends bought Abercrombie & Kent from struggling real estate company, Zhonghong Holdings Group, which purchased the company in 2016 from U.S.-based Fortress Investment Group.

Lefebvre and Kent will both now serve as co-chairmen.

“We are pleased to welcome Amerigo Perasso as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Abercrombie & Kent Group.  He will be working closely with us and the Board of the Directors to implement our strategic vision,” said Kent in a statement.  “He brings substantial operating expertise in luxury leisure travel and cruising to our organization.”

Abercrombie & Kent was founded by Kent and his parents in 1962 as a safari outfitter. It now operates over 55 offices in more than 30 countries.