City Cruises, the UK’s leading tour and dining boat operator, is proud to announce two key appointments to its leadership and culinary teams. These strategic hires arrive at a milestone moment for the company as it officially celebrates 30
years of excellence on the River Thames in 2026.

Since its inception in 1996, City Cruises has grown into a River Thames landmark. As the company embarks on its fourth decade, it continues to invest in top-tier talent to elevate its operational
standards and world-class guest experiences.

Strengthening the Helm: Sophie Hill, Operations Director

Sophie Hill has joined City Cruises Leadership Team as Operations Director. A transport veteran with over a decade of experience
working across London transport systems, Sophie began her career with Transport for London, managing major operations on the Piccadilly line. Since then, Sophie has also worked for Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), where she spent four years leading GTR’s Gender
Equality Movement (GEM), championing diversity and cultural change within the transport sector. 
Most recently, she served as the Head of Gatwick Express and London Stations, where she led high-stakes pandemic response efforts and customer service improvements.

Sophie’s new role at City Cruises will see her focusing on delivering a safe and reliable sightseeing service while
overseeing the day-to-day operation of the fleet and pier teams. She will work closely with crews and frontline staff to ensure seamless coordination across the business, while identifying opportunities to streamline operations and enhance the end-to-end guest
experience. Drawing on her extensive transport background, Sophie will also support the continued development of City Cruises’ operational teams and help strengthen the company’s ability to deliver exceptional service during London’s busiest tourism periods.

Elevating the Culinary Journey: Martin St Marie, Head Chef
City Cruises is also delighted to welcome Martin St Marie as Head Chef. Classically trained at Westminster College, Martin brings a wealth of international prestige to the galley, having worked in elite fine-dining establishments across London including The Savoy and with Jamie Oliver at Upper Glass. Martin also takes great inspiration from his time spent in Scandinavia, working in Sweden, Norway and Iceland where he helped open Nostra with Icelandic chef Ziggy Hall. St Marie also cites acclaimed chef Adam Byatt of Trinity as a key inspiration, drawing influence from Byatt’s commitment to seasonal British cooking and ingredient-led menus.
 In recent years, Martin has managed high-profile catering for some of the UK’s most prestigious institutions, including 10 Downing Street and the Foreign Office. His most recent role as Head Chef for Scottish Highland Cruises (Caledonia Discovery) saw him delivering luxury seven-night “cruise and dine” experiences, making him perfectly suited to elevate City Cruises’ onboard culinary offerings during this anniversary year.

At City Cruises, St Marie aims to elevate the on-board dining experience with menus that reflect his distinctive culinary background, drawing on both modern British and Nordic influences. Guests aboard
experiences including the Lunch Cruise, Dinner Cruise and Afternoon Tea Cruise can expect thoughtfully crafted dishes, seasonal ingredients and a strong commitment to culinary excellence, all designed to complement the atmosphere of dining on the Thames.

Inspired by his travels and the diverse cultures he has encountered throughout his career, St Marie brings an international perspective to his menus while maintaining a focus on fresh, locally sourced
produce and balanced, modern flavours. His approach centres on ensuring the food enhances the overall cruise experience, creating dishes that feel both refined and approachable.

Commercial Director at City Cruises, Ian Hailes, expressed his excitement at the newly bolstered team at City Cruises saying;
“2026 is a landmark year for us. Celebrating 30 years is not just about looking back at our heritage, but about looking forward. By bringing in leaders like Sophie and culinary experts like Martin, we are ensuring that the next 30
years of City Cruises are defined by innovation, inclusion and unforgettable customer experiences.”

City Cruises, with its prime position on the River Thames offers the best way to see the sights of the city alongside St Marie’s innovative dishes. Tickets can be purchased at
https://www.cityexperiences.com/city-cruises/