John Risley Awarded The Second Annual Samuel Cunard Prize for Vision, Courage and Creativity

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Sep 10, 2016, 05:41 ET

Risley honoured in Halifax, Birthplace of Sir Samuel Cunard

VALENCIA, Calif., Sept. 10, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2016 Samuel Cunard Prize for Vision, Courage and Creativity was awarded today to John Risley, President of Clearwater Fine Foods Incorporated. This second annual award was bestowed upon Mr. Risley at a luncheon onboard Cunard's flagship ocean liner Queen Mary 2 as she was docked in Halifax. Risely was joined by Captain Kevin Oprey, Master of Queen Mary 2, along with local dignitaries, port officials, and key members of the community including The Honourable Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board of the Government of Canada; The Honourable Tony Ince, Minister of Communities, Culture, and Heritage of the Province of Nova Scotia; and John Young and Allan Shaw, Co-Chairs, Canadian Maritime Heritage Foundation.

Onboard Cunard's flagship, Queen Mary 2, John Risley, recipient of the Second Annual Samuel Cunard Prize for Vision, Courage and Creativity accepts the award on board from last year's honoree, Jim Irving.

As part of today's commemorative activities, Cunard paid tribute to the legacy of Samuel Cunard and wife, Susan, by laying a wreath on Suan's gravesite. Pictured: Captain Kevin Oprey, Master of Queen Mary 2, Cunard historian John Langley, and Cunard Public Relations Director Jackie Chase.

The award was inaugurated in 2015 to celebrate the company's 175^th Anniversary in the ancestral home of its founder Sir Samuel Cunard. Created in partnership with the Canadian Maritime Heritage Foundation, the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, and Cunard, the award acknowledges an extraordinary individual who demonstrates the qualities exemplified by Samuel Cunard throughout his life.

An active member in community affairs, John Risley sits on the board of a number of charitable organizations. He is Chair of Futurpreneur Canada and Co-Chair of the Capital Campaign for the Nature Conservancy. He engages in public policy debate, is Chairman of the Atlantic Institute of Market Studies, a member of the World President's Organization, The Chief Executives Organization and is a director of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives. Risley was named an Officer of the Order of Canada and was inducted into the Nova Scotia Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame in 1997.

"I am honoured and humbled to receive the 2016 Samuel Cunard Prize for Vision, Courage and Creativity," said Risley. "Samuel Cunard played an instrumental role in building industries and economic growth here in Halifax, and I am thrilled to be recognized as continuing his vision and upholding his ideals for this city."

"On behalf of Cunard, we are proud to work with the Canadian Maritime Heritage Foundation and the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in honouring John Risley as the second annual Samuel Cunard Prize recipient," said Captain Kevin Oprey. "Samuel Cunard was a visionary who was born and raised in Halifax and we are esteemed to continue to recognize the legacy of his work through this significant event in the company's ancestral home."

As part of today's commemorative activities, Cunard retained noted restoration artist, Heather Lawson, known for her work on heritage stone monuments, to restore the gravesite of Susan Cunard, wife of Samuel Cunard. After Cunard's 175^th Anniversary celebrations last year, Cunard pledged to restore the gravestone located in the Old Burying Ground in Halifax. This morning, Captain Kevin Oprey, noted Cunard historian John Langley, and Cunard Public Relations Director Jackie Chase laid a wreath at the site to pay tribute and to the legacy of Samuel and Susan Cunard.

Queen Mary 2 recently completed a significant Remastering, with a refit costing in the region of $132 million. The extensive renovation includes new staterooms, its first staterooms for solo passengers, expanded kennels, new dining venues and public spaces, and 594,000 square-feet of new carpet.

For more information about Queen Mary 2, or to book a voyage, contact your Travel Agent, call Cunard Line toll-free at 1-800-728-6273, or visit www.cunard.com.

About Cunard
Defining true excellence at sea with 176 years of legendary voyages, Cunard is the operator of luxury ocean liners Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth that are renowned for impeccable White Star Service, gourmet dining and world-class entertainment. Cunard has long been synonymous with the quest for new discoveries since the company's first paddle-wheeled steamer, Britannia, crossed the Atlantic in 1840. Today Cunard offers the only regularly scheduled transatlantic liner service and continues the legacy of world cruising which it began in 1922.

World's Leading Cruise Lines
Cunard is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises, Seabourn and fathom. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, World's Leading Cruise Lines inspires people to discover their best vacation experience. Together, we offer a variety of exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations. Visit us at www.worldsleadingcruiselines.com.

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Cunard photography is available online at www.cunard3queens.com or at www.cunardimages.com
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For additional information about Cunard, contact:
Jackie Chase, Cunard Line, 661-753-1035, [email protected]
Maria Andriano, MGA Media Group, 212-251-1015, [email protected]

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160910/406249

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160910/406250

SOURCE Cunard Line