Felicia Andjel

Kitson Yachts

With over 14 years of experience, Felicia has held prominent roles as Head of Operations in leading multi-generation global family offices. She has overseen diverse responsibilities including, real estate and aircraft management, while also serving as an Owners Representative for bespoke Northern European builds and managing operations for prestigious vessels such as an 80-metre Oceanco and 111-metre Lürssen. Now, as Chief Commercial Officer at Kitson Yachts, she channels her expertise towards expanding this vibrant family office-centric firm

Bob Allen

Robert Allen Law

Founding partner at Robert Allen Law

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.

Nic Arnold

JTC Private Office

Nic joined JTC in 2021 as UK Head of JTC Private Office. She has responsibility for the strategic development and performance of the UK’s holistic Private Office services, along with working closely with JTC’s premium clients.

Nic has extensive experience in bringing broad and bespoke fiscal governance to high net worth individuals and families spanning the globe.

Her role at JTC Private Office is to ensure that the highest levels of professional governance are applied to families’ lives, whether that be supporting family members themselves or their own family offices. Nic’s work will range from advising on the transfer of wealth through the generations to buying a superyacht or overseeing the implementation of financial software.

Nic has particular expertise in family governance and in managing a family’s private luxury assets. As a chartered tax adviser, she also understands the increasingly complex demands of global taxation.

Before joining JTC, Nic was a tax director in PwC’s Private Client team and head of PwC’s Luxury Asset Advisory practice.

In 2019, Nic achieved Gold in the prestigious Citywealth Powerwomen awards.

Jamie Edmiston

Edmiston

Bio coming soon!

Micca Ferrero

Icon Yachts

Owner at ICON Yachts

42-year-old Swiss lawyer and entrepreneur Micca Ferrero was born and raised in Lausanne, where he graduated and specialised in business law. He was then admitted to the bar and worked at a prominent law firm in Lugano. In 2010, Micca relocated to Monaco, where he currently resides with his family, overseeing an international group engaged in legal and financial activities. Micca’s deep passion for the ocean was nurtured by his father and grandfather from a very young age. Combining his love of the sea with other purposes related to ocean exploration, sustainability, and science programmes, he is today the proud owner of ICON Yachts Group, a Dutch shipyard that stands at the forefront of sustainability

Troy Hanley

Henley & Partners

Troy Hanley is managing director Private Clients at Henley & Partners’ London office and a member of the Private Client Management Board. With more than 10 years’ experience in the investment migration industry, he oversees private client services, regional expansion and manages a team of client advisors across the United Kingdom and Africa. Alongside this regional management, Troy has an international book of ultra-high-net-worth clients, who are predominantly American, British and West African, advising them on global mobility, migration and international investment.

Originally from New Zealand, Troy has a Bachelor of Laws and is admitted as a Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand. He began his career practicing law in his hometown of Auckland, advising wealthy families to invest and migrate to New Zealand.

Steven Hawkins

JP Morgan Private Bank

Managing Director at J.P. Morgan & Co.

Steven Hawkins is the Managing Director at J.P. Morgan Private Bank, a division of JPMorgan Chase & Co., a global leader in financial services.

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.

Ian Hughes

HFW

Family office advisor/consultant FD at Martyn Fiddler

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.

James Jaffa

Jaffa & Co.

Founding Partner at Jaffa & Co

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

Anders Kurtén

Fraser Yachts

Chief executive officer, Fraser Yachts.

Born in Finland and with a pioneering background in solutions-based IT services and the 360 approach of the ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT), Anders has a proven track record in applying that knowledge and ‘out of the box’ thinking for the benefit of innovative start-ups and legacy brands throughout his 25 years of management, sales, marketing and product development experience across both the marine and luxury sectors.

Known for his pragmatic and hands-on approach to management, in his previous role as CEO of Baltic Yachts in Finland, Anders most recently led and implemented the company’s strategic turnaround resulting in the respected and much sought-after brand that it is today.

A seasoned and spirited keynote speaker and industry ambassador, Anders has shared his insights on many aspects of yachting including the future of the marine industry, the evolving world of UHNWIs and importantly, the vital role to be played in ensuring sustainability remains top of our agenda as an industry which, now more than ever, has more reason to work together as one entity than ever before.

Laurens Last

Heesen

Bio coming soon!

Carmen Lau

Camper & Nicholson

Senior Advisor at Camper & Nicholsons

Asia and CEO of S & S Stratton Limited. She has been active in the superyacht industry since 2004, beginning her career at Kingship Marine Shipyard in China as Sales and Marketing Manager, where she gained extensive hands-on experience in international sales, client relations, and full-custom yacht construction.

She was subsequently appointed Owner’s Representative to a leading Asian superyacht owner, overseeing complex cross-border projects, including the successful recovery of a 45-metre yacht. In 2011, Carmen joined the Azimut Benetti Group as Benetti Asia Marketing Manager, where she played a key role in establishing the Group’s Asian headquarters in Hong Kong and supporting multiple Benetti yacht sales across the region.

In 2014, she founded Lighthouse Yacht Management, which was later acquired by Camper & Nicholsons, to provide bespoke advisory and management services to yacht owners. From 2017 to 2021, she served as Managing Director and Board Director of Camper & Nicholsons Asia. She now continues with the firm as Senior Advisor, focusing on brokerage, while leading S & S Stratton Limited, advising select clients on superyacht investment and the management of their global private assets.

Eric Lewin

AIC Global Solutions

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.

Benjamin Maltby

Keystone Law

Partner

Benjamin is a partner with multi-award-winning firm Keystone Law, which is AIM-listed on the London Stock Exchange.

He advises on a wide range of contentious and non-contentious matters in respect of superyacht building, buying, managing, insuring and selling. He is known for his practical, common-sense approach.

Benjamin is one of the leading industry experts for broadcast media outlets, and was recently described as ”the world’s leading superyacht lawyer” by influencer Supercar Blondie.

He holds an International Certificate of Competence for yachts under 24m, with CEVNI endorsement, and has cruised in his own motor yachts in the UK, France and Spain.

Bruce Maltwood

Praxis Yacht Services

Director, Yacht Services at Praxis Yacht Services

Bruce brings over three decades of experience in the yachting industry, having joined Praxis’ yacht services team in 2006. He began his career initially working in the trust sector in Jersey before moving into the yacht industry in 1989. Onboard activities include various yacht deliveries and training whilst his onshore experience spans brokerage sales, EU import/export, corporate ownership and VAT structuring.
As Director of yacht services, Bruce works closely with yacht owners, family offices, trust companies, captains, lawyers and brokers. His primary focus is advising on the most suitable ownership structures for private and commercial yachts ensuring they are aligned with the owner’s objectives, the planned use of the vessel, and any relevant regulatory or operational considerations.
As a board member, Bruce leads on client service strategy and business development. His experience covers a wide range of ownership and operational models, and he remains actively involved in overseeing the ongoing needs of clients and their vessels throughout the life of ownership.
Bruce is an Associate of the Institute of Directors and brings a pragmatic, client-focused approach to supporting owners through the complexities of yacht ownership and operation.

Dr. Simon Mitchell

Starspeed

Managing Director at Starspeed

Dr Simon Mitchell has worked in the aviation industry for over 38 years; a career that includes over 6400 professional helicopter flying hours and a PhD in Aviation Safety Management. His doctoral research examined accident cost analysis, measuring the perception of risk and the economics of safety.  He also holds degrees and post-graduate qualifications in engineering, accounting and finance, and strategic financial management.

As a professional pilot, he has direct operational experience in key helicopter industry sectors:  military flying as an officer for the Royal Navy, in the offshore oil support role for Bond and CHC, as a police pilot for the London Metropolitan Police Service and Surrey Police Force, and as a corporate pilot for Starspeed Ltd.  As an academic, he has papers published on helicopter safety and its associated economic impact, and he has also conducted an extensive review into the Value of Police Helicopter Operations. He continues an association with Cranfield University Safety and Accident Investigation Centre, as a visiting fellow and as course director for the safety management professional and academic courses.  He has managed helicopter operations around many areas of Europe and the Caribbean,  set up a new polar expedition cruise ship support service and a scheduled helicopter service from Penzance to the Isles of Scilly.  Starspeed Ltd has managed over 20 different yacht based helicopter operations over a 25 year period with over 7 different types of helicopter, and has operated in 65 different countries and regions.

Currently, Simon’s main duties are working as Managing Director and Accountable Manager for Starspeed Ltd & Starspeed Training Ltd.  Simon is also the Chairman of the British Helicopter Association’s Onshore Operators’ Committee, and in Nov 2014 he was awarded the association’s ‘Eric Brown Award’ for contributions to the helicopter industry.

Farouk Nefzi

Feadship

Chief marketing officer of Feadship

Farouk has wide experience in the superyacht industry having served companies like Vecom, Hiswa Holland Yachting Group, Amsterdam RAI and Fairpromotion. Nefzi has more than 30 years’ background in strategic disruptive marketing, branding, multi-million-dollar business & consumer event organisation, the creation and realisation of a bespoke Nautical Experience Centre in Amsterdam and heading up a wide range of print, online and television initiatives.

Ian Petts

Martyn Fiddler

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.

Stefan Roell

UBS

Aviation and Yacht Finance at UBS

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.

Richard Selby

Maritime Aviation

Commercial Director & Head of Training at Maritime Aviation

Richard Selby brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from Royal Navy and civil aviation operations before his most recent 15 years in the superyacht industry. With Maritime Aviation colleagues, he has a continuing objective to encourage safe and efficient helicopter operations on board large yachts from ‘design to delivery and beyond’ by providing superyacht aviation consultancy, heliport safety inspections, heliport training for yacht crew and specialist heliport equipment supply.

Richard describes the superyacht industry as ‘sometimes challenging’ due to a lack of understanding of owner requirements and vessel capabilities by the design, build and yacht management sectors who may lack expertise, the results of which can occasionally create disappointment for the owner, adverse financial consequences and increased risks to operational safety for the helicopter and vessel. Richard is currently advising the insurance industry, flag states and regulators on the inherent risks of shipboard heliport operations and the important role they can play in risk mitigation to support safe and efficient helicopter operations onboard superyachts.

Richard’s final reminder is that ‘Touch & Go’ does not exist in the superyacht aviation industry, feel free to ask why!

Panos Pourgourides

Hill Dickinson

Partner at Hill Dickinson

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.”

Nicolas Fry

Hill Robinson

Head of Charter Management at Hill, Robinson Group Ltd

Being a sailor, he was always drawn to beautiful boats. In 2005, his father purchased a sailing yacht named Django Too and asked him to help market her for charter, marking his first step into the yachting industry. He spent several years moving across different sectors of the industry, working as a charter broker, yacht manager, crew manager and charter manager. The more he worked with captains, the stronger his desire became to go to sea and truly understand life on board.

He spent six months in France obtaining his Captain’s license and decided to gain hands-on experience at sea. In May 2012, he joined a sailing yacht as a Steward/Deckhand for the Mediterranean charter season. It proved to be a defining experience, where everything came together and gave clear meaning to all the knowledge he had acquired previously.

This combined experience created a strong and balanced foundation for a successful career in charter management, enabling him to support owners and crew while fully understanding their challenges. He began his charter management career with Camper & Nicholsons in 2013, where he was responsible for building the charter reputation of iconic yachts such as Christina O, Legend, Eclipse and Sultana. He later joined Northrop & Johnson, where he successfully expanded their European charter fleet, launched their flagship 72m yacht SOLO, and managed a large fleet with his own team. He also spent a year with Denison Yachting, developing their Mediterranean charter fleet.

Marsha Van Buitenen

Feadship

Bio coming soon!

John Vickers

Vickers Studio

Founder at Vickers Studio

Growing up by the sea on Hayling Island, with a degree in product design and also a qualified Yacht Master, John progressed naturally into yacht design.

At Redman Whitely Dixon John learnt to draft, design and project manage interior and exterior designs for industry classics, 55.5m Feadship M.Y ‘Twizzle’ and 155m Lurssen M.Y. ‘Al Said’. He then moved to set up the luxury yacht department at property designers Candy & Candy, where the 62m Motor Yacht Candyscape II went on to win the coveted world superyacht award for Best Motor Yacht, with special mention for interior design.

Following that, 6 years as a senior designer at Terence Disdale, John worked on the world’s most prestigious interior and exterior design projects, as well as completing designs for a private jet and interior architecture.

John returned as a director to his first yacht design firm RWD before setting up Vickers Studio in January 2015.

Stuart Wakeling

Henley & Partners

Managing partner at Henley & Partners and

Stuart is the head of the firm’s London and Africa offices. Stuart has almost 10 years of experience in the investment migration industry, which is based on his 13 successful years in private banking at Coutts and HSBC. Stuart has 19 years’ relevant experience in advising high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, identifying and managing risks, and seeking out value-creating opportunities across many jurisdictions with challenging environments. He also has significant global experience, with a focus on Nigeria and the wider West African markets. He has a hands-on approach, is always willing to assist new clients, is a great international networker, and is in the process of setting up Henley & Partners’ enhanced Nigerian–West African operations.

Stefan Zimmermann Zschocke

Oyster Yachts

Bio coming soon!