Bob Allen

Robert Allen Law

Founding Partner

Robert N. (“Bob”) Allen, Jr., is the founder of Robert Allen Law, one of the world’s largest law firms focused on the yacht industry. Based in Miami and Palm Beach, and by appointment anywhere in the world, the Robert Allen Law legal team represents buyers, sellers, manufacturers, dealers, brokerages and brokers, as well as banks, with respect to yachts, superyachts, and yacht related business wherever located.

Bob has over 40 years of experience counseling U.S. and multinational clients. Robert Allen Law provides advice regarding transactions, litigation, corporate matters, tax, real estate and immigration. The firm serves as the legal advisor in the Americas to many of the world’s leading yacht manufacturers and yacht brokerages, whether based in Europe or the U.S., as well as to the International Yacht Brokers Association “IYBA.”

Bob was the primary drafter of the IYBA Purchase and Sale and Listing Agreements, which have become the industry standard. He has been a regular contributor to Compass, the IYBA’s periodical, and frequent speaker at seminars involving the yachting industry in London, Monaco and Florida.

He lives in Juno Beach, is married, has a son, attended New College in Sarasota and Notre Dame Law School. He has also lived in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Spain and Guatemala. Bob is ranked by the Chambers Guide as one of the Best Yacht Lawyers in the World and as a top lawyer in South Florida by the South Florida Legal Guide. He also serves or has served his community in diverse ways such, among many ways, being the Founding Chairman of Miami Bridge, a half-way house for runaway teenagers www.miamibridge.org and the Founding Chairman of the Palm Beach Freedom Institute, a Florida-based think-tank www.palmbeachfreedom.org. He also served as legal counsel to the Republican Party, was on the winning side in the historic Bush v. Gore litigation, and has been an advisor to Florida’s governors on judicial appointments.

For more information about Bob and Robert Allen Law please visit www.robertallenlaw.com or reach out to Bob at [email protected] or +1-305-490-6592.

Jo Assael

IRI / Marshall Islands Registry

Yachts Commercial Director

Jo Assael joined the London office of IRI in 2023 as Yachts Commercial Director. Prior to joining IRI, Mr. Assael spent more than five years in yacht management at Döhle Yachts transitioning from Technical Director to Commercial Director responsible for managing the company’s growth. From 2013-2018 Jo worked for the Cayman Islands Shipping Registry as their Yacht Code Specialist and was heavily involved in drafting the Red Ensign Group’s Yacht Code while also conducting newbuild and in-service yacht surveys, inspections, and audits. He previously served as a surveyor for the United Kingdom’s (UK’s) Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and served as a lead technical specialist representing the UK MCA at the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Before his time at the UK MCA, Mr Assael was a large yacht naval architect, working on projects ranging in size from 60 to 120m. Mr. Assael serves as a British Superyacht Ambassador in technical and regulatory affairs. He is a Chartered Engineer (CENG) with the Engineering Council and a member of the Royal Institute of Naval Architects (RINA). Mr. Assael has a degree in Naval Architecture from Solent University.

Adina Suciu Bates

Societe Generale Private Banking

Head of Yacht Finance

bio coming soon…

Reda Bedjaoui

Privat 3 Money

CEO

Reda Bedjaoui is the Founder of Privat 3 Money Ltd., a fintech firm regulated by the
Financial Conduct Authority as an E-Money Institution in London.
A lifelong yachting enthusiast, he recognised the need for a smarter, more efficient
approach to yacht financial management and launched P3 Marine—a dedicated Yacht
Management & Payments platform designed to streamline financial operations for Yacht
Owners, Family Offices, and Yacht Management companies.
With a strong background in finance, law, and technology, Reda is not only shaping the
future of yacht financial management but also leading Privat 3 Money’s growth,
developing new financial products that make it even easier for clients to manage their
assets.

Richie Blake

Döhle Yachts

Managing Director

Richie Blake joined Döhle Yachts in 2015 as the Technical Director, forming Döhle Yachts Technical Services Ltd in the UK. In 2019, he joined the board of Döhle Yachts’ parent company taking on the role of Joint Managing Director with Joerg Vanselow, and assumed the sole responsibility upon Joerg’s retirement. He is currently serving as the Managing Director of the Döhle Yachts Group.

As a Chartered Engineer and Member of the Institute of Marine Engineering Science and Technology, Richie started his career at sea as an Engineer. He then gained a degree in Engineering and joined Lloyds Register, where he 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 before joining the Cayman Islands Shipping Registry (CISR) in 2006. He 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 lives in Warsash with his family and enjoys spending time riding his motorbikes and on the water with his children.

Olivier Blanchet

BNP Paribas

Head of Jet and 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.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivier-blanchet-0a61361/?originalSubdomain=ch

Guy Booth

M/Y Phi

Captain

Experienced operational Captain, Owners Representative and Project Director with a demonstrated history of working in the maritime industry. Skilled in Safety Management Systems, Negotiation, Compliance, Marine Engineering, AGILE Project Management, and Maritime Operations. Driven to work with the industry’s brightest and best to achieve renewable, efficient clean energies. Tenacious and resilient leader of complex, international teams. Strong operations professional graduated from Victoria University of Wellington.

Dominic Bulfin

Hill Dickinson

Vasco Buonpensiere

Cantiere delle Marche

Founder/CEO

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.

Chris Cecil-Wrigtht

Cecil Wright

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.

Tim Clarke

Quay Crew

Director

Tim Clarke is co-founder and Director of specialist superyacht recruitment agency, Quay Crew. Together with his co-Director, Caroline, the pair have over 10 years’ experience working as deck and interior crew onboard luxury private and charter yachts. After a successful career in corporate recruitment in London working for big banking brands including Goldman Sachs, Barclays and Reuters, Tim set up Quay Crew in 2013.

The agency has since placed over 1,500 crew at all levels on more than 300 prestigious superyachts worldwide and now has over 14 staff with 70 years’ combined onboard experience, plus an additional 40 years’ recruitment expertise.

Tim specialises in Captain roles, combining honest client appraisals with personal coaching and mentoring which is highly regarded. He also plays an active role in supporting crew, yachts, management companies and owners to streamline processes and drive up standards. He does this through the production of in-depth market research and analysis and the development of unique industry partnerships.

Robin Clayton

Investec Aviation & Marine

Head of Investec (Jersey, Guernsey and 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.

Richard Crook

DeusxPay

CEO

Richard Crook leads teams focused on delivering client-centric solutions through emerging technologies, with a particular emphasis on crypto and digital assets. With over 25 years of experience in investment banking technology, Richard has a proven track record of solving complex challenges for major financial institutions.

His distinguished career includes leadership roles at UBS, RBS, LAB577 and BCB Group, where he honed his expertise in enhancing client experience and optimising service delivery. Richard’s deep knowledge of the financial services sector positions him as a leader in driving innovation and transformation within the industry.

Paul Dickie

Jaffa & Co

Partner

Paul specialises in maritime and insurance law, with a particular focus on shipping and superyachts.

Since qualifying in 1988, he has gained over 30 years’ experience working in London, Hong Kong and Norway.

Paul is a recognised leader when it comes to both contentious and non-contentious advice for shipowners, shipyards, lenders and commodities traders. He is regularly instructed by P&I insurers and insurance advisory forms a key element of his impressive practice.

Paul has advised on some of the world’s most prestigious and recognisable superyachts, whose owners return to him time after time because they trust his experience and advice.

Recent examples of Paul’s expertise:

• The sale of a mobile production offshore unit in SE Asia with attendant regulatory and end-of-life advice
• Advice to numerous owners and charterers of superyachts on the termination of charters following the coronavirus epidemic
• Acting for Owners of a heavylift vessel on a multi-million dollar dispute concerning vessel and cargo damage and delay in delivery following a lengthy detention
• Advising the borrowers on £50 million financings secured on superyacht fleets

Advising a European shipyard on a 100m superyacht building contract

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.

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, specialising in yachts of over 50 metres in length. 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.

Paul Fuller

Howden Superyachts

Claims Manager

Bio coming soon…

Anthony Gradwell

Manta Maritime

Director & Co-Founder

Anthony is a Director and co-founder of Manta Maritime. The company was formed in 2006 to provide maritime technical and regulatory advice. At the request of several clients it diversified into yacht management around 10 years ago, and today provides a discreet and boutique service to a diverse fleet of superyachts. Our reputation and professionalism are attracting UBOs of global renown.

Prior to starting Manta, Anthony worked for both Lloyd’s Register and the Cayman Islands Shipping Registry as a ship and yacht surveyor. He is also a qualified naval architect…on paper at least!

Donna Green

Y.CO

Head of new build projects

My career on the waves as a Purser/Chief Stewardess, led me from Britain to Monaco the long way round, via The U.A.E., Asia and The South Pacific. I picked up fluent French en-route. I make the most of being land based (the stability!) and living in the South of France means my yachty friends are always passing through – definitely the best of both worlds.

At Y.CO I work on the construction and refit of some of the world’s finest Superyachts. As I spent 12 years at sea and in shipyards during the construction of a few yachts, I understand their capabilities and their requirements.

One of my most memorable experiences was sailing among the lonely archipelagos off Papua New Guinea, part of a round the world cruise to some incredibly remote places.

Steven Hawkins

JP Morgan Private Bank

Managing Director

Steven Hawkins is presently the Head of Specialty Lending for the International Private Bank as well as responsible for Emerging Markets Lending Advisory for Wealth Management at JPMorgan. Before transitioning to his current roles, he spent 5 years as a Senior Credit Executive and EMEA Head of Credit Risk, responsible for Wealth Management Credit Risk in EMEA.  Prior to that, he held various roles in Corporate and Investment Banking with J.P. Morgan in New York and London advising sovereigns, corporates and private clients in debt restructuring having originally joined Chase Manhattan Bank in 2000.  Steven graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1999.

Danny Haywood

Lombard

Bio coming soon…

Vincent Huens de brouwer

Yacht Standards

Business Development Manager

Bio coming soon…

James Jaffa

Jaffa & Co

Founding Partner

James founded Jaffa & Co and is recognised internationally for his knowledge and expertise. He has been shortlisted for the Citywealth Lawyer of the Year Award and recognised as a leading advisor within the London market for ultra-high net worth sector. Clients praise James’ remarkably fast response times and ability to simplify the most complex matters. One leading, international brokerage describes James as “without doubt, one of the finest specialists in the industry and a pleasure to deal with.” In his personal capacity, James is an avid sailor and has competed nationally and internationally. He enjoys spending time in the South of France with his family, onboard their own boat

Franc Jansen

JMS Yachting

Founder

With over 35 years in the marine industry, Franc has managed numerous yachts, including some of the largest and most iconic in the world.

A qualified Navigational Officer, Marine Engineer, Technical Manager, and Class Surveyor, Franc began his career in commercial shipping. He transitioned to the yachting industry 20 years ago and served as Yacht Management Director with two of the industry’s leading providers before founding JMS Yachting.

Franc is known and respected throughout the superyacht industry for his candor and client-centric approach to Yacht Management. He is one of the first to introduce commercial shipping discipline into yachting.

Created in 2015, JMS Yachting has grown into a leading independent yacht management company with offices in Monaco, Palma de Mallorca, Fort Lauderdale, and the UK. JMS is currently engaged in the operational management of over 60 yachts and boasts one of the strongest technical teams in the industry. JMS manages many new builds and major conversion projects all over the world

Tim Kershaw

Dunya Yachts

Sales and Marketing Director

Armed with a law degree and a commerce degree, Tim joined the superyacht industry back in 2012. After spending time as crew he joined Breed Media and delivered marketing strategy for their clients, with his main focus helping global shipyards. Tim gained strong understanding of the Turkish superyacht industry during this time as many of his clients were Turkish shipyards, including Dunya Yachts.

Tim then returned back to his home country of New Zealand to successfully grow a solar energy company where he signed the largest government solar project through his role as Sales Director.

Returning back to the superyacht industry, Tim joined Dunya Yachts as the Sales and Marketing Director in early 2023.

Eric Lewin

AIC Global Solutions

CEO

Eric is the CEO of AIC Global Solutions.

AIC Global Solutions (www.aicglobal.com) is a transaction closing platform based in London that is available 24/7.

Eric also currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Sales and Acquisitions Committee of the European Business Aviation Association.

Eric is a highly experienced legal and finance professional who has worked with some of the largest and most prestigious institutions globally.

Rob Luijendijk

Damen Yachting

Commercial Director

Bio coming soon…

Hugo Jacquot

Fort Insurance

Managing Director and Founder

Bio coming soon…

Richard Liao

Chailease Finance

Head of structured finance

Bio coming soon…

David Maass

Alley, Maass, Rogers and Lindsay

Shareholder

David Maass is a board-certified maritime lawyer and a shareholder at Alley, Maass, Rogers & Lindsay, in Palm Beach, Florida, where he focuses his practice on yacht transactions and operations. He advises high-net-worth individuals and family offices at all stages of yacht ownership.

Daniel Martin

HFW

Partner

Daniel advises traders, shipowners, freight forwarders, insurers and brokers on a host of regulatory and compliance issues, including international trade sanctions, export controls, customs and anti-corruption legislation. He advises on all aspects of the EU and UK sanctions legislation, and he is also familiar with the application of US sanctions to non-US persons.

Vincent McCartney

Camper & Nicholsons

Tom McCaughey

Director - Yacht Practice

Charles Taylor Adjusting

Tom has worked within CTA’s Marine department since 2015 and leads their Yacht Practice. He specialises in handling complex superyacht claims and has handled various high-profile claims for the London and overseas markets, as well as numerous Catastrophe surge claims across the US and Caribbean following hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria in 2017, and Dorian in 2019. He is ACII qualified and is an Associate of the Association of Average Adjusters

Jan Jaap Minnema

FRASER

Sales Broker

With over 23 years of experience in the yachting industry, Jan Jaap Minnema has sailed his way to the top of the game as a highly successful yacht Broker. Hailing from Holland, his Dutch seafaring DNA has led him to build relationships with some of the most influential designers and shipyards in the world, allowing him to witness first-hand the incredible growth of the industry.

Based in the South of France, Jan Jaap has represented clients from all corners of the globe, successfully brokering the sale of over 100 yachts (plus 4 submarines!), mainly in the 30-60m (98-196′) size range. His many noteworthy sales include a record-breaking Asian-built 89m (292′) new-build project. Jan Jaap is trusted by both Buyers and Sellers to get results, representing both almost equally in his sales portfolio.

His passion for yachting runs deep, having spent several years working on large sailing ships, giving him an intrinsic understanding of both the business and pleasure of yachting.

Jan Jaap’s unique expertise is wide-ranging, with a particular focus on Dutch builders such as Royal Hakvoort, Amels, Heesen and Feadship. This, coupled with his natural curiosity and creative approach to business, makes him a widely sought-after Broker with many repeat clients.

Derek Munro

Divergent Yachting

Director

Bio coming soon…

Farouk Nefzi

Feadship

Chief Marketing Officer

Farouk Nefzi is a visionary marketer, board member of the Superyacht Life Foundation, and currently serves as the Chief Marketing Officer of Feadship. With a deep passion for transforming the motor yacht industry, he believes in the power of purposeful storytelling, craftsmanship, and employment to create a lasting impact. Farouk’s position at Feadship has helped the brand evolve from a respected name to a true lovemark, driven by disruptive marketing and compelling storytelling that resonates with customers worldwide.

Mark Perry

Centtrip

Director – Europe

Mark is Director – Europe and Head of the Marine division at Centtrip, a leading financial technology company providing real-time treasury and payment solutions in the yachting sector.

With 19 years of experience spanning the property, travel and yachting industries, Mark has built a strong track record working in fast paced, dynamic industries. For the past eight years, he has played a key role in Centtrip’s growth, helping establish the business as the leading end-to-end payment solution for the yachting sector, encompassing charter, yacht management and payroll services.

Mark manages a diverse portfolio of family office and yachting clients. Through long standing relationships with his clients, Mark works with them to remove financial complexities and operational hurdles from their day-to-day activities.

Outside of work, Mark is a keen golfer and a devoted dad to a two-year-old son and soon to be father again.

Eleonora Pitasso

Burgess

Shipyard Relationship Coordinator & Sales Broker

Eleonora joined Burgess in 2015 with 10 years’ experience in the luxury yachting industry. She grew up in the Friuli region of Italy, close to Austria and Slovenia, and is fluent in English, French, Italian and Spanish. She also speaks German and Russian. She holds a Double Master Advanced Degree with Hons in International Affairs and Diplomacy with an emphasis in Geostrategy, the first from the University of Trieste and the second from the European Institute in Berlin. Her career started in a brokerage company in Monaco, which gave her experience in sales, charter, customer relations and project management. Prior to joining Burgess, she also worked as a charter manager for Fraser Yachts in Monaco and has previous experience as Chief Commercial Officer for Europe and Russia for the superyacht supply company Sea Vision – this role in particular provided her with a wealth of knowledge in new construction processes and strong working relationships with premium shipyards.

In her spare time Eleonora enjoys the contact with the sea, travelling, playing sports and keeping an active social life within Monaco and the yachting community.

Panos Pourgourides

Hill Dickinson Alley Maass Alliance

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.

Nikolas Rabier

Yacht Standards

Co-Founder & CEO

Unlimited Master Mariner and Unlimited Chief Engineer, French Merchant Marine.

After multiple years at sea around the world for renowned shipowners (CGM, DELMAS, Services & Transport), he Joined Lloyd’s Register Class Society. Whilst working for LR, he was dedicated mainly to Mega Yachts.

After leaving Lloyds he worked multiple years for Underwriters and P&I as Super Yacht Claim investigator.

He then joined the BRS Yachting Branch in Monaco as director of Yacht Management where he handled operations of fleet above 70m.

Nikolas is a Government appointed surveyor of Malta, Saint Vincent & Grenadine as well as member of MECAL.

He Co-founded Yacht Standards to address the critical gaps in the current yacht assessment system while promoting sustainability as a cornerstone.

Chandler Rierson

Bay Point Media

Managing Director

Chandler Rierson serves as a manager of Bay Point Media, an entertainment sector advisory unit of Atlanta-based customized lender Bay Point Advisors. As a certified public accountant, Rierson brings financial expertise to Bay Point Media, focused primarily on film and television financing in Georgia. Involved in project evaluation, deal negotiation and structuring, he also serves as executive producer of company-financed feature films, which include The Tiger Rising, starring Dennis Quaid and Queen Latifah, and The Comeback Trail, starring Robert De Niro, Tommy Lee Jones and Morgan Freeman.

As a senior associate at Bay Point Advisors since May 2018, Rierson has focused on business development, portfolio management and underwriting as Bay Point has further expanded into loan origination. From 2015-18 Rierson was involved with private equity and venture capital funds at global fund administrator Trident Fund Services. He began his career with regional CPA firm Windham Brannon. Chandler Rierson graduated from Oglethorpe University with a B.S. in Accounting and Business/Management.

Jeremy Roche

Denison Yachting

Europe Director

Although he was born in the UK, Jeremy grew up in Belgium in a European environment, allowing him to develop foreign language skills from an early age which are extremely useful today. Later on, at university in Durham in the UK, Jeremy embarked on a career in yachting, initially as crew. Over the course of six years, he clocked more than 20,000 nautical miles, including three trans-Atlantic crossings, as well as one delivery from Thailand to France. Additionally, he was based at various times in France, Spain, Turkey, Venezuela, the US, and the Caribbean.

Making the decision to come ashore to start a family, Jeremy worked for 13 years at Boat International Media in the UK, developing invaluable knowledge and contacts across all aspects of the superyacht industry. In early 2015, Jeremy left the media world and was appointed Sales Director at shipyards in Italy and then Turkey, further developing and expanding his technical knowledge on new constructions and refit projects.

In July 2021, Jeremy was appointed by Denison Yachting to lead and manage the company’s expansion into Europe with the opening of a new office in Monaco.

Stefan Roell

UBS

Aviation and Yacht Finance

Stefan is responsible for Western Europe within the Aviation & Yacht Finance team of UBS. He is based at the company’s headquarters in Zurich. Originally from Vienna, Stefan lived in Boston, Munich, Barcelona, and Lisbon, before joining the real asset lending team of Credit Suisse in 2018. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU) and a Master’s double degree from ESADE Business School and CEMS.

Alex Sayegh

HFW

Partner

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.

Julian Smith

Cayman Islands Shipping Registry

Principal Surveyor, Global Safety & Compliance

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 approval 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.

Willem Steenkamer

St Julian's Maritime Finance

CEO & Board Member

Willem has held several positions as General Manager, Finance Director and Head of Leasing in a number of well-established banks. As the General Manager, Willem was responsible for transforming a company’s vision into successful business strategies and execution. He delivered successful business results consistently through quality and operational excellence.

Mike Taylor-West

Partners&

Private – 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 Monaco

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.

Ben Willows

UKSA

CEO

Ben Willows is CEO at UK Sailing Academy (UKSA). Prior to this Ben was UKSA’s Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Operations. He first started at UKSA in 1998 as a student and then started work as a watersports instructor. Ben came to UKSA from a dinghy sailing background, sailing on reservoirs in the midlands. Once qualified he worked onboard various high-profile yachts and spent several years teaching and coaching in Australia and the Caribbean, before he moved back to Cowes to work at UKSA’s HQ. He has worked at UKSA for over 20 years. Throughout this time Ben has gained an unrivalled breadth of knowledge about the academy and its facilities.

Barrett Wright

Hill Robinson

President, USA

Bio coming soon…

Serena Witter

Robert Allen Law

Partner

Serena Witter is a Partner at Robert Allen Law and heads the firm’s dispute resolution department.  Serena is a trial lawyer who represents clients in U.S. state and federal courts at both the trial and appellate levels.  With nearly two decades of litigation experience, Serena handles a broad range maritime and commercial matters on behalf of individuals, yacht owners, business owners, and insurance policyholders.

Practice Areas

• Yacht Law Litigation
• Commercial Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation
• Insurance Litigation
• Creditor’s Rights

Yacht Law Litigation:  Serena is experienced in a broad range of yacht-related litigation, representing yacht owners, yacht manufacturers, brokers and maritime service providers in the following areas:

• • Yacht and Maritime Insurance Disputes
  • Dealer/Manufacturer Disputes
  • Yacht Broker Commission Claims
  • Breach of Purchase and Sale Agreements
  • Yacht Arrests
  • Yacht Charter Disputes
  • Yacht and Maritime Contract Disputes

Commercial Litigation:  Serena has attained extensive experience litigating a broad range of complex commercial matters including:

• • Contract Disputes
  • Commission Disputes
  • Corporate Governance Disputes
  • Commercial Lending Disputes