Highfield to step down as Oyster Yachts CEO

Ashley Highfield will step down as CEO of Oyster Yachts after seven years with the company.

Oyster Yachts CEO Ashley Highfield is to stand down in the autumn and will be replaced by a figure from the marine manufacturing industry.

Highfield has been with Oyster Yachts for seven years in which time he has returned the company to profitability.

Owner Richard Hadida will continue as chairman concentrating on new product development as well as branding, marketing and oversight of the board.

“I am eternally grateful for Ashley’s leadership, direction and support on our voyage to turn Oyster around,” said Hadida. “We agreed he would take over as CEO for a finite three-year period, with a mission to re-establish Oyster as a pre-eminent brand in the luxury sailing yacht market. I am happy to say that job is done. Ashley leaves Oyster in robust financial health.”

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Under Highfield’s leadership, Oyster recently announced a suite of new bespoke concierge services plus a new 80-foot superyacht-inspired cruiser.

“It has been an honour to serve as chair and CEO of this great British company for the past seven years and really get to know the team – the brilliant craftsmen and women, the passionate project managers, commissioning, warranty and service teams, and the hugely knowledgeable marketing and sales teams,” said Highfield.

“With the business trading profitably, backed by a strong order book and impressive fresh line-up of models and services, I will hand over the helm in the autumn to a new CEO, who will have the energy, experience, and passion to take Oyster forward to the next level over the coming years.”