Cunard has announced its membership with leading luxury advocacy group Walpole, in a move set to grow the reputation of the British luxury cruise line further worldwide.

Walpole was created to provide all members with the opportunity to amplify their business projects and initiatives and to tell the stories of the people behind their brands. Walpole’s clear mission statement is to promote, protect and develop British luxury.

Walpole membership enables Cunard to collaborate and share knowledge and insights that have developed over almost 180 years of operations while facilitating international growth and networking opportunities.

Cunard’s position as a respected global brand signals the ongoing strength and viability of the British luxury offering in international markets; with Walpole’s 2019 Economic Impact Study confirming 80% of production – totalling £38.5 billion in value – is destined for overseas markets.

Lee Powell, VP Brand and Product, Cunard said: “We are delighted to join Walpole and its existing membership of respected industry-leading brands in collaboration, promotion and development of British luxury across the world.

“Cunard is renowned as a leading British luxury brand and our ships have been sailing to all corners of the world since Laconia undertook the first continuous world cruise almost 100 years ago. Today as our reputation continues to flourish, we are proud to offer through our existing and expanding fleet, a uniquely British luxury cruise experience to destinations both near and far.”

With Cunard’s membership commencing well in advance of the arrival of its new, currently unnamed, ship in 2022, the global experience the line brings is a boon for Walpole and its existing members.

Helen Brocklebank, CEO, Walpole added: “Cunard’s name is synonymous with luxury travel and it joins an array of luxury brands that are essential to enhancing the reputation of the United Kingdom.

Indeed, Cunard will be among friends at Walpole, with many of the line’s existing partners also enjoying the benefits of membership and we look forward to enabling Cunard to make the new connections they need to take their business to the next level.”

Such brands include Laurent-Perrier, Chewton Glen, Cliveden, The Savoy, RADA, Penhaligon’s and David Collins Studio – part of the team responsible for designing Cunard’s new ship.

Cunard’s three Queens will carry British luxury to 199 cities across 64 countries in 2020. Destinations include a circumnavigation of Japan, dedicated Australian season and Alaskan adventures on board Queen Elizabeth; a voyage into the Amazon on board Queen Victoria, which will be only the second time the line has travelled there and the timeless elegance of a Transatlantic Crossing – a Cunard tradition since 1840 continued to this day on board the flagship, the world’s only ocean liner Queen Mary 2.