Superyacht Investor London 2022: Day one in pictures
Delegates from all over the world gathered for Superyacht Investor London 2022 at the Hilton London Tower Bridge.
The first panel of the conference kicked off with a discussion on how the Russian invasion of Ukraine has impacted yachting. William MacLachlan (far left), HFW, moderated the session which covered the effects of sanctions, seizures and other issues on the industry. Panellists were (from left to right) Ben Mennem MB92; Miguel Angel Serra, Albors and Daniel Martin, HFW.
The Roaring 20s panel looked at the Covid rebound and key trends to watch out for in the next decade. From left to right: (Moderator) Matthew Attard, Ganado Advocates; Rory Jackson, The Superyacht Group; Miguel Angel Serra, Albors and Daniel Martin, HFW.
Coffee provided by sponsor, HFW, was well received as delegates fuelled up for the day ahead.
Merijn de Waard (far left), SuperYacht Times, moderated the discussion about selling yachts in a boom. Pictured from left to right: de Waard; Jamie Edmiston, Edmiston; Will Christie, Christie Yachts and Raphael Sauleau, Fraser Yachts.
Jenny Matthews of She of the Sea and Legasea, shared recent research documenting improving diversity in the sector and highlighted the importance of diversity, sustainability, and crew wellbeing. Watch our interview with her here.
Lawyers and shipyards went head to head in the conversation on the costs of a badly managed new-build project. The consensus among panellists was that swift and clear communication between all parties was key in completing the project by the deadline.
(Pictured from left to right) Andrew Charlier, HFW; Jan-Bart Verkuyl, Feadship – Royal Van Lent; Julian Smith, Cayman Islands Shipping Registry; Richie Blake, Döhle Yachts and Mike Hitch, yacht captain.
Matteo Magherini (left), Lateral Engineering, explained the lifetime costs that come with sustainable new-build yachts. The current yachting boom and how management companies are handling the issues that come with crewing and finding new customers was discussed by Duncan Bateson, Ince; Ryan Green, Burgess; Raphael Sauleau, Fraser Yachts and Thomas O’Nial, Camper & Nicholsons.
Rachel Butlin, Ince, moderated the conversation about crewing issues with (from left to right) Tim Clarke, Quay Crew, Elise Ciappara, Pelorus Yachts and Mike Hitch, a superyacht captain. Clarke said that data shows that captains are actively improving crew leave times to accommodate for a better work-life balance. Hitch stressed that there must be urgency from the industry to give clearer training pathways.
The good, the bad and the ugly got a mention in the final debate of the day. At the end of the back and forth debate, about the evolving yard-broker relationship, the panel agreed that the industry could benefit from an agreed set of principles between parties involved in transactions. (Pictured from left to right) Bob Allen, Robert Allen Law; Toby Walker, Benetti Yachts and Jay Tooker, HFW.
Cocktails, good conversation and better company were the perfect ways to round off the first day of the event with the reception, hosted by sponsor, Trident Trust.