Hullo Ferries confirms appointment of new permanent CEO | Daily Hive

A vessel of Hullo Ferries passing under the Lions Gate Bridge in Vancouver, on its way to Nanaimo. (Hullo Ferries)

After serving in an interim CEO capacity since this past May, Ryan Dermody has now been appointed as the permanent head of Hullo Ferries, the company operating a high-speed passenger ferry service between downtown Vancouver and Nanaimo.

According to the company’s announcement today, Dermody has guided the company through a period of “steady growth” ever since he assumed the interim role six months ago. Over this period, service reliability, on-time performance, guest experience culture and satisfaction, and the long-term strategy for sustainable growth have also been strengthened.

Dermody was selected after the company contracted a recruitment firm to conduct a search for appropriate candidates.

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“Ryan is proving himself to be a strong based leader that is people-focused, operationally disciplined, and outcome oriented,” said Rupesh Amin, founder and executive chairman of Vancouver Island Ferry Company (VIFC), the operator of Hullo Ferries, in a statement.

“His ability to inspire teams and deliver results with purpose aligns perfectly with the vision we set for Hullo: to be the world’s friendliest ferry company. The Board’s decision to appoint Ryan as permanent CEO reflects our confidence in his ability to lead VIFC.”

Dermody brings extensive maritime experience, having previously served as vice president of the Port of Montreal, president of Terminal Norcan, and as an officer in the British Royal Navy.

Ryan Dermody. (Hullo Ferries)

“It’s a privilege to lead this incredible team into our next phase of growth,” said Ryan Dermody, CEO of Hullo Ferries.

“VIFC represents a vital and transformative transportation link for British Columbia – connecting people and places in ways that are fast, friendly, and sustainable. I’m excited to continue building on our momentum and delivering on our promise to be the world’s friendliest ferry company.”

Prior to becoming the interim CEO, Dermody was already a member of the company’s board of directors. He replaced Hullo Ferries’ inaugural CEO, Alastair Caddick, who returned to his Vancouver-based firm of Cascadia Strategy Consulting Partners.

In an interview with Daily Hive Urbanized earlier this year, Dermody praised Caddick as the right person to lead the service’s launch and build early ridership momentum, and thanked him for being “a huge asset to Hullo Ferries.”

Hullo Ferries marked its second anniversary in August 2025 and recorded the ridership milestone of reaching and exceeding its first one million passengers in September 2025.

The company previously told Daily Hive Urbanized it has plans to eventually grow its catamaran fleet — adding additional vessels to the current two in use to enable improvements to the existing route between downtown Vancouver and Nanaimo and potentially launch a second route between downtown Vancouver and Victoria.

Hullo Ferries currently has a workforce of about 100 staff. The company is currently engaged in the first collective bargaining process with the union representing the employees.

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