Mehmet Kutman is a founding shareholder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Global Ports Holding, the world’s largest cruise port operator. Kutman is a member of DEİK (Foreign Economic Relations Board) and a member of TÜSİAD (Turkish Industry & Business Association).
Prior to founding Global Investment Holding in 1990, Mr. Kutman was a project manager at Net Holding A.Ş., a Turkish corporate group involved in tourism and other related sectors, from 1989 to 1990. Between 1984 and 1989, he resided in the United States, where he served as Vice President at North Carolina National Bank, Sexton Roses Inc. and Philip Bush & Associates.
Mr. Kutman holds a BA (Hons.) from Boğaziçi University and an MBA from the University of Texas. Mr. Kutman plays a vital role in the Yale Program in Brain Tumor Research, which works to better understand the formation of brain tumours and develop improved therapies, as well as various cancer research activities worldwide through the Gregory M. Kiez and Mehmet Kutman Foundation.
Jan Fomferra was appointed Chief Financial Officer of Global Ports Holding in 2020. Since 2016, he had been Director of Corporate Finance, with responsibility for capital market and structured financing activities for the whole group. In this capacity, and in his previous role as Managing Director of Global Securities/IEG-Global, Mr. Fomferra was closely involved in all of GPH’s financing transactions, including the issuance of its debut Eurobond in 2014 and the IPO in 2017.
Prior to joining the group in 2012, Mr. Fomferra was Head of Structured Finance at Fresenius VAMED Germany, focusing on international healthcare PPP projects in Germany and Central / Eastern Europe. Previously, he was part of the corporate finance team at Deutsche Bahn from 2009 to 2010. Mr. Fomferra started his career as in investment banking at Barclays Capital and IEG-Investment Banking, where he advised on international M&A and structured financing transactions from 2005 to 2009.
Mr. Fomferra holds an undergraduate degree in Economics from the Technical University of Berlin and an MSc. degree from ESCP Europe.
Stephen Xuereb was appointed Chief Operating Officer of Global Ports Holding in 2016. He has served as the CEO of Valletta Cruise Port since 2014 and has been employed by the company since its inception in 2002, and was appointed as Group Chief Finance Officer in 2009. He was responsible for the setting up of the finance and administration function, overseeing the financing of the €37 million capital-intensive project, as well as playing an active role in developing the cruise line business in Malta and ancillary support services.
Mr. Xuereb has over 20 years senior management experience, 13 of which in the Cruise Industry. Previous to that he occupied posts in the audit and financial advisory sectors as well in the retail, property and hospitality industries.
Mr. Xuereb is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Accountants and a Henley MBA graduate.
Dr. Ece Gürsoy was appointed Chief Legal Officer of Global Ports Holding in 2018.
Prior to joining GPH, Dr. Gürsoy served as the Chief Legal Officer, Company Secretary and Executive Director of Lightsource Renewable Energy Holdings Limited for six years. Before becoming an in-house lawyer, Dr. Gürsoy spent over eight years at international law firm Dentons and White & Case specializing in project finance, infrastructure, energy and private equity, working on a wide range of projects. Dr. Gürsoy is a member of the Law Society of England and Wales and the Istanbul Bar Association.
She holds a LL.M. degree in Corporate and Commercial law from the University of London and a Ph.D. in European Competition Law from King’s College London.
Saffet C. Tinaztepe was appointed Executive Vice President, Capital Markets and Strategic Projects at Global Ports Holding in April 2026.
Prior to joining GPH, Mr. Tinaztepe was with Citigroup for over 15 years, where he was Managing Director and Head of the North America team for the Infrastructure Finance and Capital Solutions group. At Citi he led advisories and financings across a wide range of markets, regions and sectors including transportation, digital (datacenters, gpu, fiber, towers), energy, social/P3, sports-entertainment and cruise infrastructure.
Mr. Tinaztepe holds bachelor's degrees in Systems Engineering and Economics from the University of Pennsylvania, as well as a master’s degree in International Finance & Development from the Barcelona School of Economics.
Francesc Grau has been appointed GPH Regional Director of West Med in 2025. He also serves as General Manager of Barcelona Cruise Port.
Mr. Grau has been a key member of Barcelona Cruise Port since 1999, most recently serving as Operations Manager. With more than two decades of experience in managing daily port operations, leading infrastructure projects, and supporting international growth initiatives, he brings extensive operational expertise and strong leadership to his expanded role. Over the years, Mr. Grau has contributed to the success of Barcelona’s five cruise terminals and has supported GPH’s development in strategic markets, starting with Málaga, Lisbon, and Singapore, and continuing with upcoming projects across the company’s portfolio.
Aziz Güngör is the GPH Regional Director of East Med. He also serves as the General Manager of Ege Port Kuşadası Cruise Port since 2006.
Prior starting its career at Global Ports Holding, he served not only as the Marina Manager of Setur Kuşadası Marina but also as the Sales and Marketing Director of Setur Marinas Group, a privately operated marina chain company of 11 marinas which is a subsidiary of Koç Holding, the largest private holding company in Turkey. Mr. Güngör was a board member of DTB – Turkish Marine Tourism Association between 2011-2013 and as a board member of MedCruise - The Association of Mediterranean Cruise Ports in 2014. At present, he serves as a board member of TÜRKLİM – Port Operators Association of Turkey since 2014. Mr. Güngör began his career in the marine tourism sector in 1994 as a management trainee at the Tourism Division of Koç Holding (Koç Group) and held variety of executive positions within the Group since 2006.
Mr. Güngör holds a Bachelor Degree in Tourism Administration and Hospitality Management from Mediterranean University, Turkey.
Mike Maura Jr. is the GPH Regional Director of Americas, bringing extensive knowledge and experience of the Caribbean port and shipping industry, having worked in the industry and the region for over 20 years. He has been the CEO & General Manager of Nassau Cruise Port since 2021.
Most recently he served for 10 years as President & CEO of APD Limited the owner operator of the Nassau Container Port. Prior to leading the Nassau Container Port, he held key management positions within Tropical Shipping during his 12 year tenure. He has also served as a director of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce, and currently serves as Chairman of the Nassau Container Port, and a director of Cable Bahamas.
Mr. Maura has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics with a minor in Business Administration from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, U.S.A. He completed several postgraduate certifications including the Executive Certificate in Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School, The Executive Program from the University of Michigan, Organization of American States National Workshop on Maritime and Supply Chain Security, IADB-Korean Maritime and Ocean University Port Expert Workshop, and the IADB Single Window for Foreign Trade.
Lancelot Arnold is the Regional Director of Eastern Caribbean at Global Ports Holding and the General Manager of Saint Lucia Cruise Port, a position he has held since December 2023. He brings over two decades of experience in seaport management, maritime operations, port development, and financial management.
Prior to joining Global Ports Holding, Mr. Arnold served as Chief Executive Officer of the National Insurance Property Development and Management Company (NIPRO) from 2018. He has also held senior leadership positions at Invest Saint Lucia, JQ Charles Group of Companies, and the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA).
Mr. Arnold holds a Master’s Degree in Port Management from the World Maritime University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Finance from Saint Mary’s University in Nova Scotia, Canada.
Clarivette Diaz serves as the Regional Director of Latin America (LATAM) for Global Ports Holding and has held the role of General Manager of the San Juan Cruise Port since November 2024.
Prior to joining GPH, she built her career extending over 17 years in the maritime and logistics sectors. She began her tenure with Tropical Shipping in 2008, holding a series of key leadership positions before being appointed Island Manager for the Port of San Juan. In 2023, she became the General Manager of Puerto Rico Terminals, an affiliate of Tropical Shipping and the largest cargo port operator in Puerto Rico.
As a leading figure in the maritime industry, she was elected President of the Puerto Rico Shipping Association, leading the organization for more than four years as the first woman to preside over it in more than half a century. This landmark role allowed her to cultivate strong strategic relationships with government entities, private sector leaders, and local organizations on critical maritime matters for the island.
Reflecting her commitment to economic development and community engagement, Clarivette currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce, as well as non-profit boards. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and Finance from a local University in Puerto Rico.
Emilio Vázquez Villanueva has been appointed as the General Manager of Acapulco Cruise Port in July 2026.
Prior to joining Global Ports Holding, he built extensive experience across the private and public sectors, with a strong background in international trade, economic development, logistics, tourism and port management. He held senior commercial leadership positions and led international trade promotion initiatives before joining the Administration of the National Port System (ASIPONA) in Acapulco as Commercial Manager in 2023. He subsequently served as Subsecretary of Tourism Promotion for the State Government's Ministry of Tourism, continuing to support the region's tourism and economic development.
He holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics and a Master's degree in Fiscal Planning and International Taxation.
Francesco Balbi is the General Manager of Alicante Cruise Port, a position he has held since March 2023. He brings over 25 years of experience in the maritime and cruise industry.
Prior to joining Global Ports Holding, Mr. Balbi served as marine surveyor for insurance companies and P&I Clubs and then as Environmental Director at MSC Cruises, where he oversaw operational activities related to the marine environment and led a team of more than 60 people. In 2014, he was appointed General Manager of Alicante Cruise Terminal and later served as President of the Alicante Costa Blanca Turismo y Cruceros Association, promoting the destination.
Mr. Balbi holds a degree in Economics from the University of Naples and a Master’s in Hotel Management from FORST Tourism Business School.
Gasper George is the General Manager of Antigua Cruise Port and the Director of Operations and Product Development for GPH Eastern Caribbean.
Prior to joining Global Ports Holding, Mr. George served as Senior Manager of Business Development and Corporate Communications at the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA). He has also held positions in the public and private sectors, including at the St. Lucia Trade Export Promotion Agency, and has contributed to various tourism industry boards and committees. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of the Community Tourism Agency Saint Lucia and as a Director of the board at Antigua and Barbuda Hotel and Tourism Association (ABHTA), reprenting Antigua Cruise Port.
Mr. George holds a Master of Science in Marketing Management from The University of the West Indies, a Bachelor of Business Administration in Hospitality and Tourism from Monroe University.
Sedat Kara has been appointed GM of Port of Adria & Bar Cruise Port in December 2015.
Mr. Kara has joined GPH family in Port Akdeniz-Antalya as of 2012 to take an active role on commercial activities in Port Akdeniz-Antalya.He was promoted as Commercial Coordinator of Port of Adria, Bar in November 2013. Mr. Kara made a detailed analysis of port hinterland in Balkans and examined commercial future expactation of Port of Adria considering supply chain variables and competiton in the region.
Mr. Kara graduated from Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir from department of Maritime Business and Management in 2009.
Erkan Öztunalı is the Port Manager of Bodrum Cruise Port.
Prior to his current role, Mr. Öztunalı held positions in accounting and finance at GPH, having joined the company in October 2009 as an Accounting Officer before progressing to Finance Chief.
Mr. Öztunalı began his career in the tourism sector in 1994, working in accounting and purchasing at Parkim Palace Hotel. He also gained experience in accounting at Ayat Hotel and a tourism agency, as well as in marketing management in the food sector and store management in the furniture sector. His first experience in the maritime industry dates back to 1982, when he worked aboard a tour boat during the school holidays.
Timo A. Schön has been appointed as the General Manager of Bremerhaven Cruise Port in 2024.
Timo has over two decades of leadership experience in the maritime industry, most recently serving as CEO of Jade-Dienst GmbH in Wilhelmshaven, Germany, since June 2020. Under his leadership, Jade-Dienst GmbH expanded its services to include mooring, port forwarding, vessel supplies, MARPOL I waste disposal, marine engine repairs, maritime steel locksmith services, and terminal operations. He also served as Managing Director of JD Engine Repair GmbH and JD Offshore GmbH, overseeing the spin-off of a marine propulsion division and founding a subsidiary focused on offshore services.
Previously, Timo was the Managing Director of Seaports of Niedersachsen GmbH and held top management positions in shipbroking and agency services along the European coast, including roles at Frachtcontor Junge & Co. GmbH and Karl Geuther GmbH & Co KG. He has also been a partner at FCJ Partner Beteiligungsges. mbH & Co.KG and served on the supervisory board of the Bremerhaven Cruise Terminal. Timo started his career as an apprentice for shipbrokerage and agency at traditional German liner agency Karl Geuther GmbH & Co. KG, Bremen.
Thao Nguyen is the Port Manager of Ha Long Cruise Port, a position he has held since February 2020.
Prior to joining Global Ports Holding, he held various roles at Bhaya Group, progressing from F&B Supervisor to Operations Manager. His experience there included cruise operations, product management, and event coordination.
Thao studied at Hai Phong Tourism College in Vietnam.
Raffaella Del Prete is the General Manager of GPH Italian Cruise Ports; overseeing Cagliari, Catania, Crotone, and Taranto. She has extensive experience in terminal management and port operations.
Prior to joining Global Ports Holding, Mrs. Del Prete served as General Manager at YILPORT Holding in Taranto, Italy, where she oversaw terminal operations. Previously, she was Reefer Terminal Manager at APM Terminals in Savona, Italy. Her earlier career includes positions at NTV – Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori, MSC Cruises, and Maersk Line, where she held roles in terminal management, sales and operations.
Mrs. Del Prete holds a university degree in Foreign Languages from Istituto Universitario Orientale in Naples and a post graduate master in Port Terminal Management.
Sami Debbiche is the General Manager of La Goulette Cruise Port.
Prior to his current role, Mr. Debbiche held senior management positions in the aviation industry, including Regional Manager for North Africa at AVIAREPS, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Express Air Cargo, and Regional Manager for the Northern Gulf (Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar) at Oman Air, based in Bahrain.
He also spent over a decade at Qatar Airways, serving as Country General Manager in Kenya and Morocco, following earlier roles in sales and marketing management at Tunisair, Qatar Airways, Carthago Airlines and Cameroon Airlines (Paris, France).
Mr. Debbiche holds two MBAs in Airline Economics and Management and Airline Law from IFURTA, Aix-Marseille University (France), a postgraduate diploma in International Finance and Banking from CETFI, Aix-Marseille University (France), and a degree in Business and Commercial Strategies from the Higher Institute of Commercial Studies (IHEC), Tunisia.
Duarte Cabral is the General Manager of Lisbon Cruise Port at Global Ports Holding, a role he has held since 2021.
Mr. Cabral began working in TMN (Portugal Telecom group) before joining Sonae Sierra in 2001 in their property management division. He later took the role of Operations Manager in Greece in 2008 before being appointed in 2011 General Manager of the Algerian operation. In 2014 he moved to China to lead the shopping center management business and in 2016 he was appointed Deputy Managing Director before joining Lisbon Cruise Port.
Mr. Cabral is a graduate of IADE with a Bachelor’s in Industrial Design and he holds a MSc. in Industrial Design and Product Engineering from Universitat Politecnica de Catlunya.
John Mawer has been appointed as General Manager of Liverpool Cruise Port in 2024.
Beginning his career with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, Mr. Mawer held several senior leadership positions, including Port Operations: Training Manager and Company Security Officer. In 2017, he transitioned to the cruise sector, serving as Cruise Manager at Liverpool Cruise Terminal. Most recently, Mr. Mawer excelled as the Head of Cruise and Operations at Cruise Liverpool, showcasing his exceptional leadership and operational planning skills.
Mr. Mawer currently serves as the Chair for the UK & Ireland regions of Cruise Europe and is a Director for the Liverpool and Manchester Port Security Authority. His professional qualifications include IOSH accreditation and certification as a Company and Ship Security Officer, underlining his commitment to excellence in the maritime industry.
Susana Gutiérrez is the General Manager of Global Ports Holding (GPH) Canary Islands Cruise Ports, including Las Palmas, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. She also serves as the General Manager of Malaga Cruise Port.
Her responsibilities include port operations, guest services, commercial and strategic planning, negotiation, and logistics management. She also acts as Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO), with duties covering security, environmental management, and service quality across all cruise facilities. Gutiérrez oversees both turnaround and transit calls, coordinating with a wide range of stakeholders both ashore and onboard. She works closely with port authorities and cruise lines while ensuring cost efficiency. With a strong focus on operational excellence, she upholds quality and environmental standards, anticipates challenges, and develops tailored contingency plans to address them effectively.
Prior to joining GPH, she worked for three years as Planning and Coordination Manager at Malagaport, where she was responsible for the cruise business division and coordinated coordinated Malagaport Services' commercialisation activities.
She holds a degree in Translation and Interpreting from the University of Málaga. She also completed the Cruise Ship Industry Master programme at the University of Cambridge and the Professional Cruise Ship Education programme at MedCruise Association. In addition, she received Port Facility Security certification from Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya.
Steve Finnigan is the General Manager of Prince Rupert Cruise Port in British Columbia, Canada.
Before joining Prince Rupert Cruise Port, he served as President of G.W. Nickerson, where he began his career as a Vessel Operations Agent and advanced through Operations Manager and then President. He has also collaborated closely with local stakeholders and national agencies such as Transport Canada, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the Chamber of Shipping, and the Prince Rupert Port Authority. He currently holds the role of Superintendent at Pacific Stevedoring and Contractors Ltd.
Mr. Finnigan holds degrees from the University of Northern British Columbia (Prince George) and Capilano University (North Vancouver). He is married and the proud father of two children.
Beatrice Rasmini is the General Manager of Sevilla Cruise Port; where she oversees both cruise port operations and yacht marina activities, ensuring operational alignment, service excellence, and strong commercial performance.
Her role spans commercial management, operational supervision, customer experience leadership, and marketing coordination, working closely with captains, crew, suppliers, and internal teams to deliver seamless operations.
Prior to this, Mrs. Rasmini held several positions at Marina Genova in Italy, including Crew Social Manager and Hospitality Specialist, leading crew engagement, hospitality services, marina coordination, and tourism promotion initiatives. Earlier in her career, she worked as a Legal Translator and Interpreter for the Italian Public Prosecutor’s Office and as a professional translator in Spain, specializing in legal and educational content.
Fluent in Italian, English, Spanish, and French, she is recognized for her strong communication skills, customer-focused approach, organizational capabilities, and intercultural sensitivity, combining operational rigor with commercial insight and service excellence.
Gregory Tan is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SATS-Creuers Cruise Services Pte. Ltd. (SCCS), the terminal operator of Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore (MBCCS). He is responsible for the direction and growth of the company, and daily operations of MBCCS with effect from 1st April 2025.
Mr. Tan was formerly the Head of Operations of SCCS from January 2017 to March 2020, then served as Head of Apron Transformation Office from April 2020 to March 2024, and most recently the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of SCCS since 1st April 2024. During the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak on 10 March 2020, he was involved with the Multi-Ministry Taskforce in supporting the Costa Fortuna operations to facilitate the departure of 115 cruise passengers with travel history to Northern Italy. He led discussions with various Singapore government agencies, Changi Airport Group, and four international airlines. He was the overall In-Charge in orchestrating the transportation of these passengers direct from ship to airport tarmac in bonded vehicles, according to their flight departure in precision time.
Prior to joining SCCS, Mr. Tan has been in tourism management for 15 years; in developing and marketing travel products and itineraries, and regional sales for destination management services. Since 2008, he joined SATS Airport Services where he headed the SATS Premier Lounges, Passenger Services, Air Cargo Import Operations and Apron Transformation business units, overseeing more than 35 global airlines operations at Singapore Changi Airport. With his in-depth industry knowledge across aviation ground handling operations, he has a proven track record of strengthening relations with key airline clients such as Singapore Airlines, Qantas and Lufthansa.
Mr. Tan has graduated from Queensland University of Technology, Australia with a Bachelor in Business (Marketing).
Alba Colet is the General Manager of Tarragona Cruise Port at Global Ports Holding, a role she has held since July 2022.
Previously, Ms. Colet served for 9 years as a consultant for the Port of Tarragona to develop the commercial and marketing strategy to attract cruise tourism in Tarragona, and the previous 9 years she worked in different leadership roles in the marketing department of PortAventura World, one of the most renowned theme park resorts in Europe, where she gained her experience in the tourism sector.
Ms. Colet graduated from the University of Barcelona with a degree in International Business and is currently completing a degree in Marketing and Market Research at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya.
Rebeka V. Pevec is the General Manager of Zadar Cruise Port, a role she has held since 2019. Ms. Pevec is a hospitality expert with 25+ years of international cruise experience, recognized for commitment to create service excellence, award-winning teams, luxury guest experiences, profitable operations and effective systems by analysing processes and implementing innovative, effective solutions throughout all departments.
Prior to joining Global Ports Holding, Ms. Pevec has held various senior managerial positions with ocean and river cruise lines among which are Silversea Cruises, Radisson Seven Seas, Celebrity Cruises, Paul Gauguin Cruises and Viking Cruises. For past 15 years she was in a role of Hotel Director and ships under her management were often award-winners. Most recently, she was pre-opening Hotel Manager for Viking River Cruises, and ACO Hotel GM and Financial Officer of Viking Ocean Cruises.
Ms. Pevec speaks English, Croatian, French, German and Spanish. She has a master’s degree from Cornell University in Hospitality Management with a concentration in Financial Management, Hospitality Marketing and Leading Customer Focused Teams. She attended Hospitality Management and Leadership seminars at Johnson & Wales University, USA and Entrepreneurship seminars at Cornell University.
