Drew Gowland began his professional career as an actor and singer having completed his post-graduate studies at The Royal Academy of Music, London and his undergraduate degree at The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (BSSD) and the College of Visual and Performing Arts in the USA. Drew then continued his education and training in strategic leadership and management throughout his military service wit
h the Royal Air Force. His career as performer spanned eleven years including London’s West End, across the UK and eight different cruise ships across the fleets of Seabourn, Cunard, Celebrity and P&O between 2003 and 2014. In 2005 Drew founded The MGA Academy of Performing Arts (www.themgaacademy.com) developing his expertise in the education and training sector and Network Artist Management (www.networkartistmanagement.com) working in the field of talent development and management. For 15 years he was the Managing Director (CEO) of The MGA Academy, building Scotland’s largest independent CDMT accredited drama school, offering undergraduate degree programmes. Network Artist Management is now recognised as one of Scotland’s leading talent, artist management and casting agencies working internationally. Whilst building his own companies and forming world-class teams within the creative arts and entertainments industries, Drew has maintained his passion for the cruise industry and continues to dedicate most of his time to pursuing his career at sea. Looking back, in 2008 Drew became P&O’s theatre company manager for the Aurora World Cruise and subsequently continued his management roles onboard until making the move from performer to cruise directing within the ultra-luxury arena for Seabourn in 2016. He remained with Seabourn until 2022, working across their activities from regular scheduled cruises to high profile charters. Drew most recently worked alongside their director of entertainment, Handré Potgeiter for the 2020 world cruise and was invited to re-launch the Seabourn Quest upon its return to service in 2022. Drew has been a serving member of the UK’s Armed Forces since 2012 and continues his service alongside his civilian career. He was originally a Royal Air Force Regiment Gunner and is now a Corporal for the Royal Air Force Police.
“Never tell people how to do things.
