Joseph Adir

7 Oceans Yacht Club

Profile coming soon

Chris Andreason

Edmiston

Yacht Management Director

Profile coming soon

Bob Atkinson

JB Capital Group

Co-Founder and Director

Expanding an already successful practice established in 2013, providing bespoke financial services for owners of Yachts and Business Jets with a global reach.

With over 30 years hands on experience of financing yacht and business jet transactions in excess of USD 2bn, Bob has an extensive knowledge and a real appreciation of working with all manner of international financiers/lenders and clients from around the world.

Richie Blake

Döhle Yachts

Managing Director

Richie Blake is a chartered engineer and Member of the Institute of Marine Engineering Science and Technology. After serving at sea as an Engineer he gained a degree in Engineering and joined Lloyds Register. Whilst working for Lloyds Register, Richie was involved with a number of large passenger ship new construction projects in Italy, France and Japan. He was also the Lead Auditor for LR Japan for the ISM and ISPS Codes.

After leaving Lloyds Register he spent a short time with Carnival Corporate Shipbuilding as their Senior Engineer working on a number of new construction projects across their fleets. Richie moved to the Cayman Islands Shipping Registry (CISR) in 2006 and served as the Deputy Director in the European Regional Office responsible for all technical operations and policy outside of the Americas and Caribbean regions. During his time with the CISR, Richie was also involved with the introduction of the Passenger Yacht Code (PYC) and the development of the Large Yacht Code into LY3.

Richie joined Döhle Yachts in November 2015 as the Director of the company’s Technical Services and was formally appointed as the Managing Director of the Döhle Yachts Group at the end of 2019.

Olivier Blanchet

BNP Paribas

Head of Jet & Yacht Finance

A Graduate of Paris-Dauphine University with a dual master of economics and industrial organizations, Olivier has been also certified in 2019 from the University of Cambridge to develop Positive Impact Business on behalf of the Institute of Sustainability Leadership.

Olivier develops its skills in structuring, credit risk and project management acquired in a Corporate Banking World with a focus on Asset Finance. He develops its skills in various positions as relationship manager, credit analyst, portfolio manager, credit structurer and credit project manager. His specialties include deals origination and structuring, risk management, reengineering and IT projects.

In 2002, he discovered that “God must have been a ship owner or a yacht owner because he placed raw materials and paradises far from where they were needed and covered 2/3 of the earth with water”. Then, he became a Maritime Banker. He developed a sound international business relationships portfolio focus on commercial vessels and ship owners. He launched a financing and advisory offer for Yacht in 2006.

As Head of the Business Jet & Yacht Finance Services, Olivier works in close cooperation with Wealth Management Department by providing specialist guidance for its yacht financing team, particularly in marketing, structuring, loan documentation, making a bridge between UHNWIs and people in charge of Sustainable Development Goals.

Andy Blundell

Close Brothers Aviation & Marine

Managing Director – Aviation & Marine Finance

Andy leads the Aviation and Marine Finance team’s activities across the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands and Isle of Man. Andy has an in-depth knowledge of marine and aviation financing solutions for both corporate and personal clients, with a financed portfolio covering superyachts, commercial & leisure vessels and general aviation, business aircraft & helicopters. With over 35 years’ experience in banking & finance, Andy has been at Close Brothers for 8 years and was previously at Barclays Corporate Banking and Lombard, where he held a number of senior roles.

Based in London, Andy’s team of industry specialists ensure that clients of Close Brothers Aviation and Marine consistently receive the best quality service available.

Simon Brealey

Lateral Naval Architects

Chief Mechanical Engineer

Profile coming soon

Vasco Buonpensiere

Cantiere delle Marche

Co-founder

A keen sailor for all of his life, Vasco Buonpensiere has always been yachting fan who left his career as a lawyer to follow his passion. His first job in the working industry was at Waterman Exclusive Yacht Services in St. Tropez, where he worked as a broker and european sales agent for Royal Denship.

The brokerage arena wasn’t fulfilling Vasco’s needs and ambitions, therefore, as soon as a shipyard called him to become sales manager, he went back to Italy: his fisrst job in a shipyard was in the sales office at CRN. After a few monts, he became Sales and Marketing Director of both CRN and Custom Line.

He left CRN in 2010 as Brand Manager, after having sold 58 vessels from 30 to 80 mt. In 2010 he co-founded Cantiere delle Marche where he is Member of the Board as Sales and Marketing Director. In 5 years, CdM has become absolute market leader, having sold an average of one boat ever 3 months and representing 60% of its relevant niche.

He has also been member of the board at the International Superyacht Society and has been key speaker in many of conferences around the world.

Daria Cabai

Navalmartin

CEO & Co-founder

Daria is a qualified naval architect and chartered engineer with significant experience ship design, marine consultancy and R&D. In 2020, she was recognised by Innovate UK with the Women in Innovation Award for mir. She is helming S/Y St Christopher in the 2024 season.

Chris Cecil-Wright

Cecil Wright & Partners

Founder

A lifelong love for all things nautical began with a cold-water baptism in dinghies on the Solent before a gap year took me to the warmer waters of the Whitsunday’s where I skippered yacht charters. I was initially destined for a life of military service but a paragliding accident cut short my aspirations so at that point my only conceivable choice was to combine my passions for yachts with a career. As Camper and Nicholson’s had supplied boats for army team building, so this seemed a port of call for a job.

My first yacht sale helped clarify and shape future business plans for as I realised the most successful yacht brokerages were based on strong client relationships along of course with team credibility, delivering what you promise and excellent product knowledge.

Career milestones have been the builds of MADAME GU, TANGO and HAMPSHIRE II but it is the relationships behind those constructions that have really left their mark. Shipyard owners and CEOs, designers, captains, project managers, lawyers, bankers and of course the Owners, all play an integral role in a project. Every completion ignites a shared sense of achievement. Ultimately, it’s about natural rapport and a mutual commitment to quality, integrity and authenticity.

The Cecil Wright business is built on these principles.

Will Christie

Christie Yachts

Founder

Will Christie is CEO of Christie Yachts, founded in 2021. Will started Christie Yachts after 20 years in the industry and was previously Head of Sales at a large yacht brokerage house. Christie Yachts focuses on the sale and construction of Superyachts specialising in sourcing off-market opportunities for buyers. Having sold over 2,600 metres of yachts with a total value of EUR 1.4 bn and an average size of over 50 metres, Will is recognized as one of the leading specialists in the Superyacht market.

Elise Ciappara

Joro Experiences

Travel Designer / Yacht Specialist

‘Elise has been working onboard super yachts in various capacities since 2009, first as a successful chief stew and purser before coming ashore in 2019 to focus on expedition support and services for worldwide travelling vessels. As a polar expedition leader with various qualifications at WSET and a diploma in international mythology, Elise now works with the specialist team at Joro Experiences.

Joro encourage our clients to travel deeper and seek out the unknown, whether it’s a week-long celebration with family, a solo trip designed to test your boundaries, or a multi-year circumnavigation with everything that entails. We pride ourselves on creating innovative itineraries and providing truly holistic support to owners and captains, which not only give back to the destinations we visit, but also raise awareness of the issues facing the natural world

Robin Clayton

Investec Aviation & Marine

Head of Investec (Jersey, Guernsey & Isle of Man)

Robin’s career in asset finance spans over 40 years from when he commenced in Jersey in 1982, as an office junior to rise through the ranks and ended up heading two major finance companies offshore. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience having operated both on and offshore.

He previously led a number of asset finance sales teams in the UK before returning to Jersey in 2008 to run a major asset finance business offshore, this business covered all aspects of asset finance, but particularly focused on the aviation and marine finance solutions.

Aviation & Marine finance has featured heavily latterly in his career having been responsible for a £150 million portfolio of Jets and Yachts while working previously for a major offshore finance company for over 10 years.

Robin’s current role as Head of Asset finance for Investec Offshore, includes managing offices in Jersey, Guernsey and the IOM.

While transacting general asset finance, the business also has a specialist team that provides Marine and Aviation mortgages for both motor / sailing yachts through to superyachts and jets / helicopters for both local and selective UK and international clients.

Patrick Coote

Northrop & Johnson

Managing Director – Europe

Patrick’s role is to oversee all aspects of N&J’s daily operations in Europe and their strategic plans for further expansion across the region. The company’s goal of delivering extraordinary service to our clients means Patrick has two key objectives: 1. To ensure we have a highly professional team of experienced brokers, and 2. To ensure we have a world-class support team and corporate infrastructure behind the scenes.

Patrick’s entire career has been in the superyacht sector, starting with marketing roles in the yachting media and boat shows, then progressing to directorships at Fraser, Azimut Benetti, Blohm & Voss and Vripack.

Patrick is passionate about architecture, enduro motorbikes, polo, philosophy, interior design, 70s funk and skiing. He has climbed mountains, run marathons, cycled across continents for charity, and just completed a circumnavigation of Scotland by rowing boat.

Andy Cuff

Computer Network Defence

CEO & Founder

yber security career as a computing and electronics engineer in the Royal Air Force.
Andy has an extensive background in Operational Technology and communications, skills which when
coupled with cyber security are in high demand on superyachts.
Andy’s maritime cyber security work with CND includes designing the network boundary intrusion
prevention systems installed across the Royal Navy. CND have been providing cyber security to
superyachts since 2016 and our clients include some of the largest superyachts in the world.

Marianne Danissen

Camper & Nicholsons

Group Head of Yacht Management

Marianne spent over 10 years at sea sailing on various yachts as mate then later as chief engineer. She speaks English, Dutch, French and German fluently and considers herself as a world citizen. She is very passionate about her time at sea and loves crossing the Atlantic to work during busy charter seasons in the Caribbean and owner trips in the Mediterranean.

Marianne spent numerous years in the engine rooms of motor and sailing yachts, during which she has developed a true passion for engineering.

In 2003, she started as an assistant in the Camper & Nicholsons yacht management division and pursued her career in the maintenance and compliance of yachts under management. She swiftly became a specialist in ISM & ISPS compliance, an area in which she became the manager for many years.

Furthering her knowledge, she also became one of the few certified ILO trainers in the application of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 in the yachting industry. She is highly interested in any new regulations which affect yachts in general and seafarers alike.

She passed on her compliance responsibilities of the division in 2013 and moved to the senior fleet manager’s position, looking after a large fleet of yachts.

In early 2019, she became the head of yacht management and manages the entire team – a job she also does with passion and dedication.

Always involved in teaching and making people grow, Marianne likes to encourage personal development for all in the industry.

Outside of work, Marianne loves spending time outdoors. She is a keen hiker, kite surfer and takes time to go sailing when possible.

Tim Davis

BURGESS

Tim is a highly experienced commercial marketer who has spent many years working for high-profile brands across multiple industries, from Red Bull to Virgin and Vodafone, with a more recent focus on luxury brands in the travel and destination space.

A strong and focused leader with comprehensive agency and client-side experience, Tim is an all-rounder with a thorough knowledge of developing innovative marketing strategies that build brand awareness, loyalty and recognition as well as revenue and bottom-line benefit. Tim leads the global Burgess marketing function covering all marketing disciplines and specialises in bringing destinations and experiences to life for an UHNW audience.

Engel de Boer

Lloyds Register

Global Yacht Segment Director

Following his secondary and higher education in the Netherlands, Italy and UK, Engel started his career as a loss adjuster in the UK, determining insurance claims resulting from damages goods on board of ships. In 1994, he was employed by the International Chamber of Shipping representing shipping companies at international level (IMO). In 1996 he joined Lloyd’s Register where he worked as a field surveyor in various offices around the world. He was appointed Manager of the Rotterdam Technical Support Office in October 2005 following a brief period of Head of the Rotterdam Statutory Department. From January 2012 his career took a more commercial turn by leading the commercial team in Rotterdam mainly from a new construction perspective.  Engel has managed the yacht segment from commercial, technical, and marketing point of view including representing LR during industry and governmental meetings since the year 2000, becoming the Segment Director in 2021. He is always looking for solutions and driving LR forward.

Jamie Edmiston

Edmiston

Chief Executive

Jamie initiated the visionary rebrand of Edmiston almost 20 years ago; a move which permanently transformed marketing across the entire superyacht industry. Under Jamie’s stewardship as Chief Executive, Edmiston remains at the top of the superyacht world. Jamie is actively involved in client relationships throughout the business, consistently resulting in some of the market’s most significant transactions.
In addition to his role as Chief Executive of Edmiston, Jamie is the Chairman of Cambridge based Levidian Nanosystems, a revolutionary climate tech business that is at the forefront of bringing hydrogen to the mainstream.

James Foley-Comer

Jaffa & Co

Partner

James is an acknowledged industry expert in superyacht and commercial shipping transactional work.
His practice concentrates on representing a global clientele comprising high net-worth individuals, major international shipowners, banks and other financial institutions, brokers, managers and private family offices.

James has extensive experience advising on a variety of complex cross-border projects and financing arrangements across the superyacht and commercial shipping sectors, which includes sale and purchases, construction and refit contracts, financings and re-financings, financing leases and lease rental structures, chartering, registration and ownership structuring.

James is recognised for his ability to deliver clear and pragmatic advice and is highly valued by his clients for his dedication and approachability, his pro-active and commercial approach and his ability to execute transactions smoothly and efficiently.

James was ranked in The Legal 500 Rankings 2022 where he was recommended as being “very highly regarded” and “able to explain risks and consequences in a way which is easy to understand”. He was also named as a “Rising Star” in the 2021 directory. James was also a principal contributor to the ‘Sale and Purchase of Second-hand Vessels’ chapter in the recently published fourth edition of the leading industry text.

Richard Franklin

Yacht Survey Partners

Managing Partner

Richard Franklin is the founder and managing partner of Yacht Survey Partners, a specialist superyacht survey company operating globally with a team of 10 surveyors operating from key yachting locations. Richard’s goal in founding the business was to create a highly professional, experienced and responsive team to serve leading yacht brokers, marine insurers, shipyards, management companies, lawyers and owner’s representatives in the superyacht sector.

Yacht Survey Partners is very active in the pre purchase survey market, with Richard having led the teams for recent high-profile surveys on Tatoosh, Carinthia VIII, Golden Odyssey and Kismet, to name just a few. Richard also leads his team’s work for leading Hull & Machinery underwriters, P&I clubs and insurance brokers. Across all business areas, Richard relishes the technical, operational and commercial challenges, always looking for ways in which to deliver clear, objective, timely advice to the company’s clients.  When not away on surveys (which is a lot of the time) Richard divides his time between homes in Palma and Cowes and his beautiful classic sailing yacht, wherever that happens to be. If you find yourself on a Teams call with Richard, the chances are that may be WFB

Chris Frisby

UKSA

Director of Operations & Training

Boasting more than two decades of experience in the maritime industry, with a focus on yacht training programs. I have a broad background in providing customised training and advice. Catering to everyone from novice crew members to experienced captains. I have played a significant role in enhancing the skills qualifications and expertise of maritime professionals across the globe.

Simon Grainge

ISWAN

CEO

Simon was appointed as Chief Executive of ISWAN in June 2021. In a previous career, Simon was a Police Officer for 20 years before moving into the charity sector where he gained substantial experience of leading organisations working in the fields of homelessness and poverty alleviation. Simon has also worked in international development in the disability sector, leading programmes in Nepal and Pakistan. At ISWAN, he has developed a new strategy and operational structure with a strong focus on partnership with all maritime stakeholders. Whilst relatively new to the maritime welfare sector, he describes it as a fascinating arena in which to work and wishes he’d discovered it earlier.

Martyn Gray

Nautilus International

Director of Organising

Profile coming soon

Ryan Green

BURGESS

Partner – Head of Yacht Management

Ryan joined the Burgess yacht management team in 2013 after 12 years at sea. Ryan’s career began as an underwater research assistant completing coral reef biodiversity studies in South Africa, before working as a PADI dive master in New Zealand. After sailing around much of the South Pacific on smaller yachts, the superyacht industry seemed a natural progression. During the past twelve years he has worked on both private and charter sailing vessels, cruising worldwide. Ryan holds a Master (Yachts) 3000gt certificate.

Gareth Haynes

Lombard Marine

Relationship Director

Profile coming soon

Ian Hughes

HFW

Partner

Ian is a banking and finance lawyer with specialist experience in the shipping, superyacht, offshore and aviation sectors. Ian advises banks and other financial institutions, funds, Islamic investors, insurance companies and owners on a variety of matters including new financings, sale and purchase, leasing, restructurings, work outs and enforcements.

Ian is a member of the executive committee of Superyacht UK (part of the British Marine Federation), the membership association of the UK superyacht industry, representing the interests of the industry in the UK and internationally.

Franc Jasen

JMS Yachting

Founder

In his 30+ years as a professional in the marine industry, he has managed over 150 yachts including some of the largest and most iconic in the world.

Franc holds a BSc in Maritime Sciences as well as an MSc in Maintenance and Safety Management. He is also a qualified deck and class 1 engineering officer. After progressing through the ranks on cruise ships, Franc became a Class Surveyor and was involved in the development of the MCA Large Yacht Code. Since coming ashore, Franc has worked as a superintendent managing commercial ships and carried out numerous new build projects and refits across the globe. Representing MYBA yacht managers, he was also involved with the implementation of ILO MLC2006 regulations into the MCA large yacht code.

JMS Yachting was formed in 2015 by Franc Jansen as he thought that yacht management could be done better. To avoid conflict of interest, he believes that operational management should be totally independent from brokering and chartering.

Adrian Karborani

Robert Allen Law

Partner

Profile coming soon

Nicola Kingman

The Shipowners' Club

Syndicate Manager – Underwriting

Nicola joined the Shipowners’ Club in May 1999, and is the Underwriting Manager of the Yacht syndicate. During her time at the Club, Nicola has underwritten business for many areas of the world and has been the main Underwriter for the Club’s yacht portfolio. Nicola has a Diploma in Superyacht Operations. Outside of the office Nicola enjoys running, swimming and ballroom/Latin dancing.

Richard Lambert

BURGESS

Senior Partner – Head of Sales

Richard Lambert, former Managing Director Asia and Senior Broker, is now Head of Sales implementing the overall strategy to boost sales across the board. He joined Burgess in 2005 as managing director of the OceanStyle semi-custom division, then left to become M Class Director for Princess Yachts in 2013. In 2014 he returned to Burgess as a senior Sales Broker, specialising in the semi-custom sector, and in 2015 took on responsibility for overseeing Burgess’ operations in Asia. Richard has garnered a wealth of experience in the yachting industry, managing the Spanish network of Princess offices and running his own yacht brokerage company, also in Spain, that specialised in production motor and sports yachts. Prior to joining Burgess in 2005 he spent four years as International Sales Manager for Azimut Yachts in the UK.
Richard has a BSc (Hons) in Geography and Oceanography from Plymouth University and is a keen sailor and skier.

Giedo Loeff

Feadship

Head of Research & Development 
Giedo is a Naval Architect with a large appetite for complex problems and new technology. His work is a balance between developing long term strategies and hands-on tackling of today’s challenges. He acquired deep roots in maritime research and development during his years at the MARIN institute. In 2012 he moved to Feadship where he gained experience in yacht design, engineering, regulations, build and servicing. Today he holds the position of Head of R&D of Feadship. In this role he coordinates Feadship’s alternative fuel and power system developments and other vital digitalization, manufacturing and naval architectural innovations.

Matteo Magherini

RINA

Business Development Manager, Yachting North Europe

Profile coming soon

Nicola Morgan

Wilsonhalligan

Director

Nicola studied Psychology at the University of Exeter and shortly afterwards started her superyacht career 15+ years ago.  She combined working at sea with a period in recruitment and in 2015 became the Co-Owner & Director of Wilsonhalligan Recruitment.  Since then, Nicola has enjoyed recruiting for all departments and is also deeply involved in the wider maritime community, actively contributing to industry events & forums, mentoring seafarers moving ashore as well as raising awareness of Yacht Crew Help, a charity dedicated to supporting yacht crew through difficult times.  Nicola is also determined to try and raise the standards of recruitment within the yachting industry and is an active member of the Raising The Bar Recruitment work group.

Derek Munro

Divergent Yachtings

Director

Profile coming soon

Ian Petts

Jaffa Prive

Partner

As Head of Yachting and Aviation, Ian ensures clients benefit from the highest levels of client service. Based in the Monaco office, he is responsible for leading the Y&A strategy for Equiom globally and plays a key role in developing holistic solutions for superyacht and aircraft owners, operators, and their advisors.

Ian has more than 20 years’ experience in the financial services sector having held a variety of roles including Financial Controller, Finance Director and Economist. Ian has also held group finance directorships at a number of yacht management and brokerage companies where he has led teams managing fleets of more than 60 yachts (including royal fleets) and new build projects from 50 to over 130 metres.

Ian has gained significant experience as a controller and director for several high profile Monaco family offices, ensuring excellent portfolio fund growth and governance and managing the succession of families’ assets. His combination of international experience and skills enable him to advise clients on the successful operation of jets and superyachts.

Ian holds pleasure yacht certificates from America, UK and France and he also holds a European Ship Security Licence.

He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and is fluent in English and French.

Panos Pourgourides

Hill Dickinson

Partner

Panos was originally engaged in both contentious and non-contentious work in the commercial shipping sector for a number of years after qualifying in 1996, but has since gone on to focus almost exclusively on yacht work for the majority of his career. He has extensive experience acting for yacht owners and almost all of the major banks involved in the provision of finance for new build projects and second-hand yachts and is an acknowledged leader in this field. He also routinely advises on the negotiation of construction agreements, sale and purchase work, design and project management contracts and other yacht, ship and private aircraft related commercial and regulatory issues. Panos also holds a practising certificate in Hong Kong as well as being a fluent Greek speaker. He also sits on the committee of Superyacht UK and is a co-editor of the shipping chapter of Sweet & Maxwell’s “Practical Lending and Security Precedents.” He has for many years been ranked as a leading practitioner in his field by a number of the global legal directories, most recently Chambers HNW 2019 which said “Panos is one of the best names in the yachting world. He is extremely thorough and knows his stuff extremely well. The advice is clear, concise and timely.”

Gianfranco Puopolo

PG Legal

Founding Partner

Gianfranco is a lawyer and founding partner of PG Legal, head of the Luxury Assets Team. Gianfranco has been advising clients in the yachting industry for more than 25 years representing luxury yacht builders and UHNWI in the construction, purchase and sale of yachts in Italy and internationally. He advises leading luxury boatyards in corporate transactions and is a standing arbitrator of the International Yachting Arbitration Council. He is also a founding member and secretary of the IYBA European Chapter.

Gianfranco has an international legal background and he is one of the requested speakers at the various yachting conferences, business forums and round tables on legal and tax issues where he shares his experience and his depth knowledge with the yachting industry operators. He is listed as an expert in his field in major legal directories such as Chambers and Legal 500. Gianfranco speaks Italian, English, French and Spanish.

Jeremy Roche

Denison Yachts

Europe Director

Profile coming soon

Linda Roxburgh

Wikborg Rein

Legal Director

Linda is a legal director at Wikborg Rein with a specialisation in superyachts. Her extensive expertise covers various aspects of yacht transactions including construction, chartering, sale and purchase, refit and ownership structuring. Linda is a specialist at handling complex, multinational transactions, offering comprehensive legal advice to yacht owners, charterers, shipyards, and financiers. Alongside her focus in the yachting sector, Linda is an expert in shipping and offshore projects, with a notable emphasis on LNG.

Karl Santrian

BZ Maritime Leadership

Director

Karl is an expert in the development of Maritime Human Capability (Interpersonal Skills, Leadership, Teamwork, and Management) and is passionate about its importance to the advancement of the superyacht industry.  Following a successful career as a senior Royal Naval officer, he co-founded BZ Maritime Leadership to deliver Continuous Professional Development (CPD) to upskill captains, HODs, crew, and shoreside staff.

Karl has extensive experience at sea and appreciates the unique challenges faced by leaders, whether that be inspiring crew to confidently face danger in emergencies or perform during mundane periods.  Outside of his operational career, he established and headed the Royal Naval Leadership Academy, chaired an international/NATO Leadership Research Project, and worked as a Senior Instructor in numerous leadership training organisations.  During the pandemic, Karl was selected to lead a specialist team to assist London’s Strategic Leadership in enacting the COVID-19 crisis response.

Karl has a Master’s Degree in Leadership and is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD.  He is also a qualified Adult Education Teacher, Coach, and a Registered Psychometrics Practitioner.

Alex Sayegh

HFW

Legal Director

Alex specialises in the transactional aspects of the commercial yachting industries; advising owners, shipyards and financiers on the construction, refit, repair, sale and purchase of various types of vessels. He has a particular focus on construction contracts for new builds and has extensive experience of negotiating with shipyards and yacht builders throughout the world. Alex also regularly lectures on the subjects of shipbuilding and sale and purchase contracts.

Michael Schuler

Credit Suisse (A UBS Group Company)

Director – Aviation & Yacht Finance

Michael has been working at Credit Suisse for over 25 years in the lending business, half of which as a key account manager for multinational and listed companies. In 2017, he moved to the Aviation & Yacht Finance team and has successfully established and expanded the Western European market.

As Director/Deputy Head Sales, he is responsible for sales and execution for private jets as well as superyachts. Michael covers the clients and prospects from the headquarters in Zurich.

In his spare time, he sails single-handed dinghies (Contender), was participating with a Melges 24 at the US nationals and charters sailing yachts on the Mediterranean himself.

Michael holds a master degree from the Faculty of Law at the University of Zurich.

Andrea Sinacola

Robert Allen Law

Associate

Andréa Sinacola is an Associate at Robert Allen Law, where she practices in the Corporate Law and Yacht Transaction divisions. Andréa’s familiarity with the yacht industry began at a young age participating in many offshore powerboat races across the Great Lakes of Michigan and assisting her family’s custom boat company at international boat shows. Before joining Robert Allen Law, Andréa practiced in Chicago and Texas at boutique and national firms. She litigated complex commercial cases including civil fraud actions, contract disputes, and insurance matters. In addition to law, Andréa started a concept store in the Dallas Design District, incorporating rare antiques with her furniture designs; after one year of opening, NBC featured her work on Texas Today. Andréa approaches legal matters with the cognizance of a litigator and the perspective of a business owner, making her a dynamic addition to Robert Allen Law.

Henry Smith

Cecil Wright & Partners

Partner & Sales Broker

Julian Smith

Cayman Islands Shipping Registry

Principal Surveyor

After graduating from University, Julian joined Lloyd’s Register in 2004 as a Surveyor in the Yacht and Special Service Craft Department. In 2014, he joined the Fire & Safety Plan Appraisal Department as Lead Specialist (Yachts) and was responsible for the appraisal of plans and documentation for various superyacht projects. In 2017, he joined the Cayman Islands Shipping Registry and is now responsible for the survey and certification of superyachts from both a new build and in-service perspective and specialises in passenger yachts. He also acts in the capacity of Code Secretariat for the REG Yacht Codes and participates in various industry working groups regarding regulatory development.  Julian is a Chartered Engineer and Member of the Royal Institute of Naval Architects.

Christian Stacey

Captain

In yachting since late 2006, Christian’s resume features some of the most recognised motor yachts in the industry – Tatoosh, Baton Rouge, Aquarius, and Soaring – the latter two from build. With only four vessels across seventeen years, crew longevity is something he has been a proponent of long before he reached the position of Captain. He credits his own willingness to stay the course to the excellent environments fostered by the Captains, HODs, and Management he has worked with along the way – with a touch of his own determination too!

Keen to develop his team, Christian puts overall crew welfare high up the list of priorities for any successful operation. He believes that behind the shiny paintwork, immaculate engine rooms, and stunning guest experiences, ours is first and foremost a people industry. Look after the people, and the Owner’s enjoyment will follow and multiply – everyone wins…

Mike Taylor-West

Partners&

Partner – Private Client & Marine

Mike is a Maritime Business & Marine Law alumnus of the Institute of Marine Studies, University of Plymouth. He is also a graduate of Britannia Royal Naval College, and a Chartered Insurance Broker. Mike brings over 20 years of international private client insurance experience, passion and enthusiasm to La Playa. Mike is also a keen windsurfer and skier.

Sam Tucker

Moravia Yachting

Sales Broker

Sam studied Naval Architecture at the University of Southampton before sailing thousands of miles with some of the fastest and most prestigious sailing yachts in today’s superyacht fleet, including an original J-Class and a Wally Cento.

Becoming shore based in 2016, Sam reignited his academic brain to lead the team that developed the first automated valuation model for superyachts, working closely with financiers and underwriters to establish accurate market values for their superyacht portfolios.

Sam’s background of technical, operational and market knowledge makes him a fantastic addition to the Moravia brokerage team.

Michelle Van der Merwe

Pantaenius

Superyacht Account Manager

Michelle Van der Merwe has worked in insurance for over 25 years and started her career in corporate private medical insurance in the UK before moving into Superyacht insurance with Pantaenius Monaco.

She is responsible for managing the Superyacht team – sales, underwriting and policy administration. The Monaco office is the 2nd biggest office in the group and one of the leading providers of yacht insurance in Europe.

Michelle has extensive experience in the delivery of customer and claims services, underwriting & product development and the management of client relationships.

Giles Whitby-Smith

Bitcashier

CEO

With a background as an investment banker in London, Giles Whitby-Smith combines his extensive knowledge of financial instruments and a prosperous entrepreneurial track record to lead Bitcashier as a co-founder. Under his guidance, Bitcashier has emerged as a trusted brand not only in the Yachting industry but also as a secure and seamless crypto payment solution within the iGaming, Betting, and Gambling sectors. Bitcashier’s platform is fully regulated, assuring ease of use and smooth risk-free transactions for entities eager to leverage cryptocurrency for operational efficiency. Beyond these realms, Bitcashier also caters to a variety of other industries, including Real Estate, Luxury Goods, and Private Jets, offering best execution and settlement rates for buying and selling crypto, along with the capability to pay suppliers and clients seamlessly in crypto or fiat.

Peter Wilson

MCM Yacht Management

Peter Wilson – Originally hailing from the UK, Peter settled in Newport in the late 80’s. In addition to many thousands of miles at sea; racing, cruising, and participating in high latitude expeditions, Peter was a boatbuilder (welder/fabricator). He has been on seven America’s Cup teams in roles ranging from shore manger to design director. He is also a World Superyacht Awards judge and Technical Advisor.

Outside of his MCM world, Peter can variously be found cycling, sailing, motorbiking, photographing and tending to his beehives.

Nick Zeher

Robert Allen Law

Partner

Nick Zeher is a Partner at Robert Allen Law who handles all manner of yacht matters for Robert Allen Law. Nick grew up on the ocean working on charter boats in South Florida. At the age of 18, Nick obtained his USCG Captain’s license and began what would be more than a decade of serving as a full-time, professional yacht captain traveling throughout the eastern seaboard of the United States and the Caribbean. While working as a yacht captain, Nick attended St. Thomas University School of Law where he obtained his Juris Doctor degree. After passing the Florida Bar, Nick spent nearly two years as a Public Defender in Palm Beach County where he handled well over 1,000 cases and tried over 25 jury trials. Now, Nick combines his court room experience with his knowledge of yachts which, at Robert Allen Law, makes him a natural fit for both the Litigation and Transaction teams of Yacht Lawyers.