A cruise industry outsider has been installed as new chief executive of Ponant.

Benoît-Etienne Domenget takes over from Hervé Gastinel, who is leaving the group "to pursue new professional projects".

Gastinel is stepping down after almost five years at the helm of the French cruise group.

Domenget, who joins on November 3, brings 25 years of experience in the hospitality, luxury, travel and tourism sectors

He moves to Ponant after eight years at hospitality and luxury management educational firm Sommet Education, having started his career at Accor.

Domenget will have the mission to further drive the group's continued international development and strengthen its hallmark of hospitality excellence, while honouring Ponant's "unique maritime savoir-faire" and high environmental standards, a company statement said.

François-Henri Pinault, owner of Ponant through family holding company Groupe Artemis, said: "I am delighted to welcome Benoît-Etienne Domenget.

"His extensive and diversified experience and expertise in strategic fields for our company will give him all the assets to make Ponant Explorations Group an ever-stronger and more innovative player in the luxury and responsible cruise sector. He will be able to rely on a highly talented team."

Pinault added: "We warmly thank Hervé Gastinel for his unwavering commitment to the group.

"Under his leadership, the fleet has grown from 12 to 20 ships, and Ponant Explorations Group has successfully diversified its activities, in particular by entering river cruises and new formats such as the Spirit of Ponant."

The group operates the brands Ponant Explorations, Ponant Yachting, Paul Gauguin Cruises and Aqua Expeditions

The company has been owned since 2015 by Artemis, the Pinault family's investment company.

Artemis, majority shareholder of global luxury group Kering, also owns Christie's, vineyards, Creative Artists Agency, weekly magazine Le Point, Stade Rennais football club, and other assets in art, tourism, sports and technology.

Cruise outsider takes helm of Ponant