Sarah Allan

Penningtons Manches Cooper

Partner

Sarah is a yacht and superyacht specialist, providing advice to owners, charterers, managers and yards on a range of legal issues. As an accomplished sailor and yachtmaster who has competed at international sailing events and worked on yachts, clients benefit from Sarah’s first-hand experience of the industry.

She leads Penningtons Manches Cooper’s international yacht practice which assists with all aspects of ownership from the firm’s offices in London, Madrid, Paris and Piraeus.

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 

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.

Chris Anderson

Robert Allen Law

Attorney

Christopher Anderson is a Partner at Robert Allen Law and represents clients in general corporate and business transactions, mergers and acquisitions, offerings of equity and debt, complex commercial and residential real estate transactions and corporate and trade finance. Chris also has extensive experience in representing a broad spectrum of clients in the yachting industry, including manufacturers, brokerages, dealers, marine lenders, and purchasers and sellers of yachts.

Mr. Anderson graduated magna cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law and received his B.A. from Johns Hopkins University. He is a member of the Association of Yacht Sales Professionals (YBAA), the Florida Yacht Brokers Association where he served on the FYBA Forms Committee and was a key contributor to the rewriting of essential FYBA Forms. Chris is a Super Lawyer Rising Star and an AV Rated Martindale Hubbell lawyer.

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.

Olivier Blanchet

BNP Paribas

Managing Director of Jet and Yacht Finance

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. Few years afters, he noticed than most of the yacht owners had at least one business/private jets since the most precious ressource is Time. Then developed a sound international business relationships portfolio focus on private jets and yachts. He launched a financing and advisory offer for Yachts and Jets in 2006.

Michael Breman

Lürssen

Sales Director

Born in New Zealand with a Dutch nationality, then lived in Austria, Italy, Netherlands, Great Britain, Saudi Arabia and Germany, Michael Breman can be described as a multi-cultural, speaking five languages fluently.

Throughout his childhood, sailing boats of various sizes always belonged to his life. During his Atlantic College time in South Wales he helped build what was at that time the world’s largest rigid hull inflatable. Later on Michael made his first practical yachting experience -other than a user- as (the only) deckhand on a beautiful 27 meter Esterel.

Coincidences took him to Saudi Arabia to work for a capital goods trading company based in Jeddah as marketing manager. After seven years fate brought him in 1991 to Italy, where he joined Baglietto, once a builder of the finest sailing yachts but then (as now) an eminent builder of fast motoryachts.

In 1995 Michael met Peter Lürssen and joined his company on the German Riviera where he has been ever since and where he successfully handles the sales of the largest yachts in the world.

Umberto Bonavita

Robert Allen Law

Partner

Umberto Bonavita is President of Robert Allen Law and advises international entrepreneurs, multinational corporations, foreign companies looking to open U.S. operations, with a special emphasis on the yachting sector – including buyers, sellers, manufacturers, banks, brokerage houses, brokers, and crew management companies.

Umberto began his legal career in New York City representing publicly traded companies on mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and before the Securities & Exchange Commission. Fluent in Italian and Spanish, after relocating to Miami to work with Robert Allen Law, his practice transitioned to the international business and yacht sectors.

Major yacht transactions he has most recently been involved with include a 74-meter CRN, a 63-meter Benetti, a 63-meter ISA, a 63-meter Rossinavi, a 50-meter Rossinavi, and a 45-meter Tankoa. These transactions are in addition to his regular involvement in the purchase and sale of Ferretti, Sanlorenzo, Mangusta and Benetti superyachts, among others.

Further, as part of Robert Allen Law’s “go-to” team in the Americas for European manufacturers, he has advised in countless other transactions acting on behalf shipyards, corporate and contractual matters, as well as in dispute resolution involving major yachts – from warranty claims, to yacht fires, to suits for rescission, revocation of acceptance, as well as well as warranty and product defect claims.

Umberto is a regular speaker at yacht industry and international trade seminars– from London, to Monaco, to Milan and Miami. Umberto is an AV Rated Martindale Hubbell lawyer and has served on the Board of Directors of the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce.

Umberto graduated from Fordham University School of Law and earned his B.A. from the University of Virginia. Outside his law practice, Umberto has four children, all of whom play soccer at a high level. He is an avid cook, has volunteered for years as a youth soccer coach, and mentors law students and recent graduates of Fordham University School of Law.

Giovanna Cabbia

Clyde & Co

Partner

Giovanna is dual qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales and as “Avvocato” in Italy and her expertise within the shipping areas covers a wide range of legal issues related to commercial contracts for new build constructions, sale and purchase, refit, operational, owning and finance arrangements for commercial vessel.

She is also a prominent member of the superyacht team, having long experience of working with yacht builders, owners, designers, brokers, project managers and operators of the industry. Her advice in the superyacht space covers the full range of legal issues related to new build contracts, pre-owned sale and purchase, repair and refit, finance, security structures, operational and owning structures, design and project management agreements.

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.

Will Christie

Christie Yachts

 CEO 

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.

Hristo Dafnopatidis

RMK Yachts

Sales & Marketing Manager

Hristo Dafnopatidis is Sales & Marketing Manager at RMK Yachts, where he leads the shipyard’s international sales and marketing operations within the global superyacht market.

With extensive experience across international sales, marketing, and business development, Hristo has held senior roles in multiple branches of the maritime industry, including port management. He has successfully managed key accounts across the Mediterranean, Europe, and the United States, working closely with multicultural teams and stakeholders in highly competitive environments.

Born and raised in Istanbul, Hristo holds a degree in Business Administration & Management and a Master of Science in Marketing from Florida, USA. Fluent in English, Greek, and Turkish, he regularly represents RMK Yachts at international conferences, panels, exhibitions, and industry events.

Today, he continues to focus on strategic growth, relationship-driven business development, and brand positioning within the luxury superyacht market, bringing a global perspective and a commercially

Jamie Edmiston

Edmiston

Bio coming soon!

Richard Elliott

Boodle Hatfield

Partner

Richard specialises in international corporate and commercial transactions, with particular expertise on the acquisition, financing and structuring of luxury yachts.  Richard’s experience in asset finance, also includes the sale, purchase and financing of business jets, helicopters and other high‑value assets.  Alongside his luxury assets practice, Richard advises on UK and international M&A, joint ventures and corporate finance. His practice spans complex cross‑border transactions, often coordinating extensive teams of overseas counsel.

Micca Ferrero

Icon Yachts

Owner 

The 42-year-old Swiss lawyer and entrepreneur 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

Nicolas Fry

Hill Robinson

Head of charter management 

Nicolas discovered yachting in 2005 when his father bought S/Y DJANGO TOO and asked him to promote her on the charter market. He also experienced life at sea as a deckhand & steward on charter yachts and holds a Captain’s license. This combined experience created the perfect blend of knowledge to work as a successful charter manager for 13 years, supporting Owners and Captains, understanding well the market. Beginning his career in charter management with Camper and Nicholsons, Nicolas was responsible for building the charter reputation of iconic superyachts like CHRISTINA O, LEGEND, and SULTANA. At Northrop & Johnson, he developed the incredibly successful charter profile of the 72-meter SOLO and many other yachts, growing the fleet and the team in Europe. Now the Head of Charter Management for Hill Robinson, Nicolas oversees the development of the charter fleet and focus on growing operations worldwide. His expertise in building the charter reputation of yachts under his management, through a combination of marketing strategies, personal relationships, and commercial skills , have made him one of the leading charter specialist in the superyacht market today.

Sarah Gooding

Centtrip

Chief Product Officer 

Sarah Gooding is Chief Product Officer at Centtrip, where she leads the vision and development of financial technology serving superyachts, film productions, entertainment businesses and other globally mobile premium asset sectors. With more than 25 years’ experience across payments, financial services, media and digital technology, she excels at simplifying complex financial operations for high value, internationally-mobile teams.

At Centtrip, Sarah has been key to defining its Premium Asset Lifecycle Management approach, building comprehensive solutions including escrow and TPMA services, SPV and production accounts, global payments, FX, and intelligent card and expense management. Her work delivers faster access to funds, stronger cost control and deeper financial transparency for clients operating in demanding, fast moving environments.

Driven by problem solving and thoughtful product design, Sarah is known for pairing industry insight with user centric innovation. She has held senior roles at leading fintech and technology companies, delivering transformative platforms and payments solutions at global scale.

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.

Claire Hagen

Armada Club

Digital Consultant

Claire Hagen is the co-founder of Armada Club, a private members’ club reimagining superyacht access for UHNWs.

With nearly a decade in luxury hospitality, she supported the launch and growth of restaurants and hotels including The Dixon Tower Bridge, Hyatt Regency London, Holmes Hotel, The Trafalgar St. James, and Park Plaza’s flagship London and Amsterdam locations. Her work has been recognised with multiple accolades, including Best Use of Social Media at the Hotel Marketing Awards for a Park Plaza campaign, plus 1st place in a Creative Business award and 2nd place in a European competition.

In publishing and entertainment, Claire led digital strategy on campaigns for Penguin Books, supporting titles by Rick Stein, Yotam Ottolenghi, Richard Branson, Tom Hanks, and NASA astronaut Scott Kelly.

With a background in design, art, and IT, she blends creative direction with a human-first approach to digital strategy. Today, Claire works with yacht owners, Lürssen Yachts, Triton Submarines, YATCO, and senior sales brokers through her agency, This is Odyssey, with previous campaigns for Fraser, Edmiston, BOAT, and Heesen.

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 five 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.

Stephen Hills

Pendennis Shipyard Ltd

Commercial Director

A Chartered Naval Architect and graduate of the University of Southampton, Stephen began his career in project management, progressing to lead and develop organisations, principally within the superyacht sector. Over the course of his career, he has been involved in the majority of UK new-build and refit superyacht projects over 70 metres as well as delivering numerous smaller, internationally award-winning and technically groundbreaking projects.

He serves as Group Commercial Director at Pendennis Shipyard. In this role, he focuses on converting enquiries into successful projects, strengthening, and developing the Pendennis team, and driving ESG transition across The Group. He also holds day-to-day responsibility for Cockwells and Norfolk Interiors, two companies within the Pendennis Group.

Stephen Hubble

Centtrip

Head of Strategic FX Sales at Centtrip

Ian Hughes

HFW

Partner 

Ian is a finance and transactional Partner with specialist experience in the shipping, yacht, business aviation and insurance sectors, working closely with colleagues across our sector groups in these areas. Ian advises a broad client base including commercial and private banks, funds, shipowners, managers, operators and family offices on a variety of cases including new financings, sale and purchase, leasing, restructurings, work outs and enforcements. Ian has a particular focus on package deals where maritime and aviation assets are involved in the same structure.

Ian has previously worked in Hong Kong and has also spent a year seconded to an international bank.  He is also 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.

Hugo Jacquot

Fort Insurance

Founder and Owner

Meet Hugo Jacquot, the founder and owner of Fort Insurance, an esteemed independent superyacht insurance broker. In a dynamic insurance market marked by the consolidation of numerous independent brokers into corporate giants, Hugo saw an opportunity to redefine excellence and flexibility in insurance services.

With over 15 years experience within the insurance industry, Hugo Jacquot has perfected his expertise through his roles with industry leaders such as the insurance company AXA, and P&I Club Steamship Mutual. His career is distinguished by the adept management of expansive worldwide portfolios, showcasing a breadth of knowledge that sets him apart.

In a landscape where personalised service is paramount, Hugo’s attention to detail and unwavering commitment to client satisfaction have become hallmarks of his professional journey. Yacht owners, managers, captains, and industry professionals alike have entrusted him, recognising the distinct blend of skill, experience, and client-centric ethos that defines Fort Insurance.

Hugo’s dedication ensures that clients receive not just insurance, but an unparalleled experience tailored to their unique needs. As an independent superyacht insurance broker, Fort Insurance stands as a beacon of exceptional and highly flexible services.

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

Anders Kurtén

Fraser Yachts

CEO

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.

Richard Lambert

Burgess

Senior Partner

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.

Luca Lanzalone

LC & P Law Firm

Founding partner 

Luca A. Lanzalone is a founding partner of LC&P Law Firm, located in Italy, with offices in Genoa, Milan, Lodi and Florence, correspondents worldwide and collaborations with leading law firms in the United States, particularly in Florida.

The LC&P Law Firm legal team is focused in commercial, international, maritime, transportation, real estate, custom, bankruptcy and reorganization, energy and public utilities law and has provided its services to private and public entities in Italy and abroad in several transactions and litigations of national and international relevance.

Luca graduated magna cum laude from the University of Law of Genoa, is a member of the Geona Bar lives between Italy and U.S.; at the beginning of his career he has been the personal assistant of the Chairman of the Port of Genoa and has been a member of the board of directors of relevant private and public companies, included one of the biggest shipyard in the Port of Genoa. Actually, he is the Chairman of one of the most important gas-pipeline operator and energy private company in Poland.

He is the author of publications on law and geopolitics and an avid skier and golf player.

Kevin T Laverty

Hill Robinson

Director of Projects

Kevin began his career as an engineering apprentice with a major offshore fabrication contractor. In the years to follow, he worked in offshore oil and gas construction, marine engineering, shipbuilding and port equipment – always in a project management role. He has worked exclusively in the large luxury yacht sector since 2004 and is, according to Hill Robinson, recognised for handling complex projects.

John Leonida

Of Counsel Wordley Partnership

John is a former senior equity partner at international law firm Clyde & Co where he was
head of their superyacht group for many years, he has spent more than 25 years advising
the owners and builders of some of the world’s most luxurious superyachts not only on
matters of law but also on commercial and industrial strategy.
Prior to stepping away from private practice in 2020, in each of the five years up to the
2020, the Chambers HNW Guide to The World’s Leading High Net Worth Advisers ranked
John in the top division of only four global Superyacht lawyers. He has been described as
a “very good negotiator” and “very precise and thorough in his work”. One industry insider
described him as having an “encyclopaedic knowledge of the sector”. John now brings
that encyclopaedic knowledge to Wordley Partnership with his capability and know how
combined with Wordley Partnership’s recognised specialities and skillsets

Laurens Last

Heesen

Carmen Lau

Camper & Nicholson

Senior Advisor at Camper & Nicholsons

Carmen Lau Stratton is 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 

AIC Global Solutions 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.

Robb Maass

Alley Maass

Shareholder 

Robb Maass is a shareholder and president of Alley, Maass, Rogers & Lindsay, P.A., a full-service law firm with offices in Palm Beach, Florida. He holds an A.B. from Princeton University and a J.D. from Yale Law School. Mr. Maass heads the firm’s Maritime Department, which specializes in yacht transactions. He and the other lawyers in his department represent a broad spectrum of the marine industry, including yacht owners, crew, manufacturers, dealers, brokers, and vendors. He was recently reappointed as a director of the Maritime Authority of the Cayman Islands, which includes the Cayman Islands Shipping Registry.

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, and is known for his practical, common-sense approach.

Benjamin is the go-to industry expert 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

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.

Joey Meen

IAMI

Director at IAMI, and President – The Superyacht Alliance – Professional Standards.

Employed- Director IAMI GUEST Program (Guidelines for Excellence in Superyacht Training)

Operational Industry-led Accredited Education (onboard & onshore).

With a foundation in maritime education, Joey brings a distinct lens to her 36-year career in the superyacht sector. She has built a reputation for challenging convention, developing innovative training pathways, and spearheading legacy initiatives that reflect the increasing complexity, scale and expectations of evolving yacht operations. Her work is grounded in one principle: that growth without structure exposes risk.

Joey is a pragmatic, solutions-oriented leader with decades of experience in board-level positions, including roles with the Professional Yachting Association (PYA) and the International Association of Maritime Institutions (IAMI) as well as the recent (and additional) appointment as President of the Superyacht Alliance for Professional Standards, where IAMI along with fellow Association Members SYBAss, MYBA, ICOMIA, PYA, IYBA and AIMEX, have aligned and collaborated to advance professionalism throughout the industry. This alliance addresses key areas such as build, yard operations, sales, services, and crew, creating a comprehensive approach to raising industry standards.

Joey will bring discussions on the role and function of Associations in the superyacht sector and why that role must now evolve. Drawing on her work with the Superyacht Alliance as well as Director of the IAMI, she will challenge the industry’s reliance on minimum compliance and fragmented frameworks, advocating for cross-association action to address systemic issues and drive a shift in how industry bodies operate. Her perspective is clear; associations must evolve beyond advocacy into “instruments for change”, pushing coordinated actions, accountability, and measurable reform towards a professional and sustainable industry.

Dr Simon Mitchell

Starspeed

Director, Yacht Services 

Dr Simon Mitchell has worked in the aviation industry for over 30 years; a career that includes over 6000 professional helicopter flying hours and a PhD in the economics of safety. He also holds degrees and post graduate qualifications in engineering, accounting and finance, and strategic financial management. He is still current on the Sikorsky S92 helicopter.

Currently, Simon’s main duties are working as Managing Director and Accountable Manager for Starspeed Ltd, and he is still a Visiting Fellow with Cranfield University. 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.

Phil Noad

Cayman Islands Shipping Registry

Deputy Global Director, Safety & Compliance 

Phil is a chartered engineer and member of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects and has been in the maritime industry for more than 30 years. He has worked for a shipyard, Classification Society, cruise ship companies, and two Flag State maritime administrations. He has been with Cayman Registry since 2005 and is currently their Deputy Global Director for Safety and Compliance.

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.

Ian Petts

Martyn Fiddler

Family office advisor/consultant

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.

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.”

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.

Richard Selby

Maritime Aviation

Commercial director & head of training 

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!

John Stephens

JB Capital

Co-Founder and Director 

John Stephens

Co-Founder and Director of JB Capital Group, having held senior roles within some of the leading international funding banks (inc. Fortis, Barclays and RBS Group), John has structured and financed over USD 1.5 billion of superyacht and aircraft transactions to UHNW and corporate clients globally.

Working with a number of the world’s leading yacht builders and aircraft manufacturers,  John has been helping his clients purchase and finance superyacht and business jets since 2002.

Jane Turner

Centtrip

CEO

Jane is an international IP/platform strategist and one of the UK’s top female technology leaders. Under her leadership, Centtrip has delivered award-winning growth while transforming its operations, infrastructure and product offering.

Today, Centtrip’s unique, end-to-end, Premium Asset Lifecycle Management capability provides alternative banking solutions for high-value, internationally-mobile assets such as superyachts, private jets, film productions and touring artists. The business has enjoyed recognition in J.P. Morgan’s Top 200 Female-Powered Businesses, Dun & Bradstreet’s Accelerate 50 list of fast-growth technology companies and the Sunday Times Sage Tech Track 100.

Jane’s previous career spans both multinational PLCs and start-ups. As Group Managing Director, she led Centaur Media’s digital transformation, growing annual revenues by 58%.
As MD of Chorion, she developed global TV, Film and licencing franchise for iconic publishing estates. As CEO of Bright Station Ventures she led the venture arm overseeing investments in several leading edge fintech and media technology platforms.

She is a graduate of the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.

Alex Sayegh

HFW

Marsha Van Buitenen

Feadship

Sales Director 

Bio coming soon!

Steve Varsano

The Jet Business

Founder & CEO 
– the world’s first street-level corporate aviation showroom. His 30-year career in corporate aviation has seen him build a dynamic business in the aviation industry dealing with the most successful entrepreneurs and corporate executives throughout the world, and involved with over 450 aircraft sales to date and in excess of $5 billion. His extensive expertise and knowledge of the corporate aviation jet market has positioned him as an internationally regarded industry authority.

Varsano started his aviation career with the American Association of Airport Executives and as the Special Assistant to the President of the General Manufacturers Association where he oversaw the Statistical Forecasting Committee and the Airport and Airways Committee. He is a commercial-instrument-rated pilot, single and multi-engine. He graduated magna cum laude from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Studies.

Varsano also was heavily involved in the merchant bank/Mergers and Acquisitions sector as a senior Vice President of Triangle Industries and Trian Group, President of the international division of Yorkshire Global Restaurants, Senior Director of Business Development of Yum Brands International and consulted for Grotech Capital Group, Centre Partners and FTI Consulting.

Varsano sat on the Board of Directors for XOJET and Virgin Galactic. He has also served as President and senior executive positions for a number of private equity companies and the companies they controlled in various industries in America, Russia and Europe.

John Vickers

Vickers Studio

Founder 

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 

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.

Bryce Wagner

Mercy Ships

Robbie Winders

Family Office

General Manager of Operations

Robert Winders is a highly accomplished executive with over 36 years of aviation management and UHNW Family Office private asset management experience.

Successfully managing an international multi-billion dollar portfolio of private assets for the Family Office of one of the world’s wealthiest families, including aircrafts, super-yachts and properties, Robert Winders is calm, discrete and professional at all times. He oversees all assets including purchase/sale, management during the lifecycle of the asset (project management/value retention/P&L/staff), through to divestment where applicable. He is also a sharp negotiator with a long and proven track record of prosperous commercial deals.

Robert Winders started his career in aviation and has broad experience in both airline operations management and airline commercial activities, including starting a commercial airline (Eirjet), obtaining and consolidating a number of Air Operator Certificates, instigating cost management, on time management and computerised management systems all with excellent results.

Stefan Zimmermann Zschocke

Oyster Yachts

With more than three decades of international industry experience, the accomplished engineer, passionate sailor and seasoned manufacturing leader will step into his role in September to guide the company’s next phase of growth.

His career bridges both engineering and operations leadership, including senior roles at globally renowned brands like Rolls-Royce Power Solutions and Aston Martin, while under Ford ownership. He has built a reputation for delivering transformational improvements to manufacturing quality and efficiency while staying grounded in customer-focused values.

Experience in the marine realm mirrors his passion for life on the water, as he most recently worked on several award-winning yachts at HanseYachts AG. A lifelong and competitive sailor, deeply connected to the experience of life at sea, his passions reflect the very essence of the Oyster. A seasoned yachtsman, Zimmermann Zschocke has raced in numerous regattas and continues to be actively involved in the sailing community, bringing a sailor’s perspective and instinct to his leadership.

Zimmermann Zschocke’s appointment comes at a pivotal time, as the company builds upon record global sales, expands its portfolio of owner experiences, including the Bluewater Academy and Oyster Explorers Club and commits to continued innovation of the fleet. Zimmermann Zschocke’s leadership will build on this momentum, reinforcing Oyster’s commitment to craftsmanship, flawless production quality, robust construction, and industry-leading design.