Speakers

 Jay Tooker
Partner, Holman Fenwick Willan

Jay specialises in yacht and ship building in relation to sale and purchase, asset finance, corporate law and international trade. Jay is recommended by both Chambers UK and Legal 500 for his expertise with superyacht financing. Reports from clients in Chambers UK 2016 say “he is a very technically able lawyer who is very close to the industry.” He is also a French speaker.

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Vasco Buonpensiere
Co-founder, Cantiere delle Marche

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.

Farouk Nefzi
Brand Director, Feadship

Farouk Nefzi, Marketing & Brand Director Feadship has a wide experience in the superyacht industry and the wider commercial world which ensures Feadship to continue to set the standard in terms of profiling itself to the global custom yachts clientele and all its stakeholders.

In previous positions he was specialised in branding the Holland Superyachts industry as Export Director of the HISWA Holland Yachting Group; an organisation that focuses on the collective promotion of manufacturers and suppliers of Dutch superyachts abroad. Besides promoting the industry he also took on the challenge of stimulating the water sports industry in the Netherlands by concepting core business events such as the Amsterdam In-water boat show and heading up a wide range of print, online and television initiatives.

Farouk acquired considerable experience in the water sport and maritime industry in his job at Amsterdam Rai, as he was responsible as senior product manager for the exhibitions Mets and Europort.

Stefano de Vivo
Chief Commercial Officer, Ferretti Group

Stefano de Vivo, aged 37, graduated in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering from the prestigious University College of London and gained an MBA from the University of Sciences and Technology in Hong Kong.

He began his career in the nautical industry at Riva where he covered several positions during his experience: he started as Project Manager, then he was appointed World After Sales Manager and later Greater China and Asia Pacific Manager.

Afterwards and until 2011, Stefano de Vivo had a significant experience as Sales & Marketing Director and Vice President of Sales at Benetti.

He continued his career as a consultant for top international groups managing in different fields (fashion, automotive) and with specific focus on the Asia Pacific market.

Guillaume Roché
CEO & Founder, Sunrise Yachts

Of French and Scottish descent, Mr. Roché was practically born on a sailboat. As an adolescent, while doing correspondence courses, he circumnavigated the globe with his family on a 45-foot steel ketch. The spirit of the sea never left him. A mechanical engineering graduate of The University of Massachusetts in Boston, he later studied naval architecture at the Westlawn Institute of Marine Technology in Connecticut.

Mr. Roché was a luxury yacht captain for five years on charter and private yachts before putting his experience toward yacht construction. For the last 25 years, he has built and managed the construction of numerous luxury yachts (power and sail) at shipyards in the United States, Europe and Turkey. These years of experience proved invaluable. For Mr. Roché, Sunrise Yachts is the culmination of his dreams as a yacht-builder. It is his opportunity to show the world what creative and quality-driven—yet highly cost-effective—luxury yacht construction is.

Olivier Blanchet
Head of Yacht & Shipping Finance, BNP Paribas

A graduate of Paris-Dauphine University, Olivier joined BNP Paribas in 1993, where he developed skills in structuring, credit risk and project management acquired in Corporate Banking, with a focus on Asset Finance. His specialties include deals origination, 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”. He then became a Maritime Banker and developed a sound international business relationships portfolio focused on commercial vessels and ship owners and in 2006, launched a dedicated offer for yacht financing in 2006. As Head of Yacht and Shipping Finance Services at BNP Paribas, Olivier works in close cooperation with the Wealth Management Department, and provides specialist guidance for his yacht financing team, particularly in marketing, structuring, loan documentation and compliance due diligence.

Alan Randolph
Chief Lending Officer, C1 Bank

A banker in South Florida for more than 25 years, Alan G. Randolph works for C1Bank as the Executive Vice President, Senior Lender, focused on the expansion and growth of C1Bank.  Total assets totaled $1.7 billion, as of September 30, 2015 with 32 offices located in the Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg, Southwest Florida, Orlando and Miami-Dade markets.  Alan is one of Miami’s leading social figures in Miami and currently serves on a number of boards, including those of the Bass Museum of Art, Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce, Humane Society of Greater Miami, Mount Sinai Medical Center Foundation, University of Tampa and other charitable organizations.  He is a pet advocate and has a passion for aviation, yachts and contemporary art.  Mr. Randolph is a graduate from the University of Tampa and is a member of the Board of Fellows.

Michel Buffat
Head of Aviation & Yacht Finance Client Relations, Credit Suisse

Michel Buffat joined Credit Suisse in 2001 after having spent several years at a blue chip Swiss engineering company. Michel is a long-time member of the CS Aviation and Yacht Finance team and in addition to his sales activities, Michel set up the transaction and portfolio management division, which he is heading up. Michel has extensive knowhow and experience in Yacht Financing, an activity that Credit Suisse re-started successfully in 2014.

Michel holds an MBA from the University of Rochester as well as a Masters in mechanical engineering from Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich.

In his spare time Michel enjoys outdoor activities such as orienteering and skiing.

Jeremy Dean
Head of Shipping & Marine Finance, Investec

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Chrystelle Cavernes
Head of Mega Yacht & Business Jet Financing, Société Générale Private Banking 

Chrystelle Cavernes started her career in Monaco as Tax and Legal Adviser in the Tax and Legal Department of Société Générale Private Banking (Monaco) in 1999.

In 2007, she joined the Business Development Department of Société Générale Private Banking (Monaco) to develop the Yacht and Business Jet Financing. In 2010, she launched a new financing offer dedicated to mega-yachts (yachts over 40 meters) within Société Générale Private Banking (Monaco).

In February 2012, in addition with the mega yacht and business jet financing department, she became Head of the Wealth Planning Solutions and Life Insurance Department within Société Générale Private Banking (Monaco).

Beginning of 2015, she launched from Monaco a new financing offer dedicated to High-End Business Jets (focus mainly on long range aircraft) and since April 2015, she has been appointed as Head of Development & Wealth Planning Department.

Elinor Dautlich
Partner, Holman Fenwick Willan

Elinor is a transactional lawyer acting for shipowners, operators, shipyards and designers across the shipping, LNG and offshore sectors.

Elinor advises on all types of commercial shipping contracts including second-hand sale and purchase, shipbuilding contracts, EPC and EPCI contracts, ship recycling, ship registration, charterparties, pooling agreements, management agreements, seismic-related contracts, shares sale and purchase and joint venture agreements as well as on ship and aviation finance, leasing, seller’s credits and other forms of capital raising. She also advises on contracts for the design, construction, purchase and operation of yachts and business jets.

Elinor is part of the firm’s LNG group, which has been responsible for drafting some of the first long-term LNG vessel charters and has over the years built up extensive experience of LNG time charters and related agreements, including joint venture arrangements, for some of the major LNG projects around the world. The group deals with all modern LNG time voyage and other specific charters, gas supply / offtake and LNG sale and purchase agreements, financing agreements, insurance issues, FLNG and the construction and operation of LNG ports and terminals.

Elinor has been advising on piracy related contracts since 2009, including contracts for the provision of private security services and she sits on BIMCO’s drafting sub-committee for GUARDCON.

Elinor is recommended by Legal 500 UK 2012.

Will Christie
Senior Broker, Y.CO

Will has loved the sea ever since he can remember, having spent all his summer holidays as a child messing around in boats on the Isle of Wight. His passion for racing small keel boats led him to the superyacht industry. Since joining, he has been represented clients in the purchase and construction of some of the world’s most prestigious yachts, including the 91m NAHLIN, 82m KIBO, and the 58m LARISA. Out of the office, when he’s not sailing, he loves fishing and is also an avid sports fan.

Roberto Giorgi
Chairman, Fraser Yachts 

Mr. Giorgi began his career at sea; attending Nautical College and joining the Italian Navy as a Lieutenant before joining the merchant marine where he worked on both passenger liners and cargo vessels. He obtained his Master Mariner qualification in 1974.

In 1980 he began his first shore-based role as a ship manager at Amarline. Several years later he joined the newly founded V.Ships and helped grow the company to become the largest ship management company in the world today. He has held various roles within the V.Ships Group including being the Managing Director of V.Ships New York, before returning to Europe to launch the new brand V.Ships Leisure in the cruise sector, as well as running the ship management operation from its Monaco office. From 2005 until the end of 2013 he held the role of President of V.Ships and from 2014 to December 2015 he was the Honorary President.

Mr. Giorgi was President of InterManager from 2008-2010, the international trade association for third-party and in-house ship managers, whose members are responsible for some 3,700 ships and more than 200,000 crew members between them.

In August 2014 Mr. Giorgi became the Chairman of Fraser Yachts, a company he had been involved with since V.Ships bought it in a joint partnership with Azimut Benetti in 2004.

Timothy Clark
Senior Broker, MySea

Tim Clark began his yachting career by working on a number of private and charter yachts between 1990 and 1999 working up through the ranks to Captain with extensive cruising in the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Indian Ocean. At the same time, winter periods were spent at Solent University to achieve a Bsc in Maritime Studies. Coming ashore in 2000, Tim joined Yachting Partners International as a junior broker gaining experience in all departments to include brokerage, charter and operational yacht management culminating in the charter management of a number of high calibre yachts up to 80 meters.  In 2005, he joined Ocean Independence at its inception as a senior charter broker and manager of a fleet of charter yachts from 25 – 75 meters as well as assisting in expanding the business.  Most recently in 2014, Tim took a position with the yacht charter and sales company, MySea as Director of their London Office.  MySea is a growing boutique brokerage house that also offers a number of exclusive properties to its clients with their focus on advice, discretion, exceptional customer service and client confidentiality.

Fiona Maureso
President, MYBA The Worldwide Yachting Association

After graduating from the University of Bath with a degree in European Studies, Fiona left her native England to explore the world of yachting in the South of France. Initially, Fiona worked as a deckhand/stewardess on a 40 metre motor yacht and then moved ashore to train as a charter broker. Her training led to a successful career in yacht charter with Peter Insull’s Yacht Marketing and Yachting Partners International over the following years.

In January 2013, Fiona joined Northrop & Johnson as Charter Director to expand their presence in the South of France. She brings a wealth of knowledge about the industry and over 25 years of experience as both a retail broker and a charter manager.

Fiona currently serves as President of MYBA – the Worldwide Yachting Association, and chairs the IT panel. She speaks English, French and conversational Italian.

Geoff Moore
Managing Director, West Nautical

Geoff has a background in both Commercial Shipping and Yachting as a Class 1 Master Mariner, qualified as a Designated Person Ashore, Company Security Officer and Internal Auditor with an Honours Degree in Marine Operations from Northumbria University.

When serving at sea, Geoff sailed up to the rank of Chief Officer on commercial vessels; varying from passenger ships, ferries, dredgers, bulk carriers and deep-sea tugs, along with having served onboard 6 superyachts varying from 52 to 138 meters up to the rank of Relief Master. Geoff has worked ashore in the Technical Department for the largest shipping company in the world, AP Moller Maersk, before running the Yacht Management department for a boutique company in the UK.

Now Managing Director at West Nautical, Geoff is directly responsible for ensuring the charter and management departments deliver best-in-class service to its clients at exceptional value. He is always available to assist the Owner, Captain or their advisors wherever possible, and is happy to guide and advise on any aspect of yacht operations.

With a diverse maritime background and having first hand experience of all walks of superyacht operations, both ashore and afloat, Geoff enjoys the variety his role at West Nautical brings and is always available to meet or speak to clients.

Alistair Feeney
Partner, Holman Fenwick Willan

Alistair joined HFW in 2000. He specialises in litigation and arbitration. He has acted for clients in many disputes, including in relation to crude oil, petroleum products, LNG, shipbuilding, ship sale and purchase, and vessel charters. His clients include international and national energy companies, international trading companies, investment banks, ship owners and operators, and utility companies. Alistair has acted for clients in numerous proceedings before the High Court in London and in ICC, LCIA, SIAC, LMAA and ad hoc arbitration. He also has a strong record of managing and, where possible, resolving disputes without the need for proceedings.

Alistair also handles transactional and advisory matters relating to crude oil, petroleum products and LNG. His oil experience covers long-term sale and purchase, joint ventures, storage, compulsory stock obligations, spot trading and related shipping matters. His LNG expertise includes SPAs, MSPAs, terminal access contracts, and terminal capacity sharing agreements. Alistair is consistently recommended for physical commodities work by Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500.

Panos Pourgourides
Partner, Hill Dickinson

Panos was originally engaged in both contentious and non-contentious work in the commercial shipping sector, but has focused on yacht work for most 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 advises on the negotiation of construction agreements, sale and purchase work and other ship and yacht related regulatory issues. Panos is also admitted in Hong Kong.

Leon Batchelor
Managing Director, Marine & Aviation, Arc & Co

Leon is Managing Director of the marine and aviation business within the Arc&Co group.

He co-founded the business in 2009 with the purpose of providing independent advice to those Clients that were struggling to source asset finance in the post banking crisis environment.

Their business model is to sit agnostic of the global superyacht financing sources and offer a tailored solution to each Client.

Since its inception, Leon and his business have arranged finance for Clients from Africa, Middle East, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Europe totalling over €150m in superyacht finance.

Bob Atkinson
Partner, B Capital Partners

Bob has over 30 years of lending experience in respect of a wide range of assets including aviation & marine, large ticket plant & machinery together with property; both commercial and residential.

He was a founder of the Barclays Corporate Jet & Superyacht operation in 2003 and during a 10 year period was instrumental in establishing Barclays as an international market leader for finance to UHNW clients. Personally executed facilities totalling in excess of £1bn.

2010 – 2013 was spent within the private bank of Barclays developing & delivering the private bank finance model.

He has extensive lending and structuring experience, which together with his marketing, negotiating & execution of finance transactions is being successfully applied to develop B Capital as a leading arranger of specialist high value financing. Bob has a wide knowledge of the financing options available for clients from the market today.

A number of deals have been closed during the last 6 months with various financiers and a cross section of transactions is being currently negotiated with a variety of banks/funders/lessors.

Olivier Milliex
Founder & Managing Partner , OMYS Consulting

Founder and managing partner of OMYS Consulting, Olivier has a long experience in the banking sector. He has held several executive positions:

2006-2011: Head of Yacht Finance at ING Group. Member of the Executive Committee ING Lease France.

1998-2006: Managing director of SMEF (Société Monégasque des Etudes Financières), a subsidiary of Compagnie Monégasque de Banque, one of the largest private banks in Monaco.

1988-1998: Director at BNP Lease Group

Olivier is a well known professional in his field with comprehensive and unique financial expertise suited to HNWI.

Ben Lind
Senior Yacht Underwriter, AIG

Building on 13 years as a marine insurance broker at Lloyd’s of London with a specialism in Superyacht Insurance, Ben moved to AIG’s Private Client Group in August 2012 as the Senior Yacht Underwriter for the Europe & Middle East region. Based out of AIG’s London office, Ben underwrites an international portfolio of Superyacht insurance business, ranging from entry level yachts to the very largest Superyachts afloat, as part of a team of Yacht insurance professionals around the world serving some 100,000+ yacht owners including some 200+ of the largest Superyachts.

In addition to providing Owner’s with protection and peace of mind for their treasured Superyachts, Ben has endeavored to support the Superyacht Insurance industry through his participation as an Executive Committee member of the Superyacht Claims Adjusters Association, helping to provide a professional body for this specialist niche of the insurance industry.

Paul Newton
Head of London Marine Hull Underwriting
AXA Yachting Solutions

28 Years Marine Insurance Experience across Hull, Yacht, Marine Liability and Cargo disciplines.

Focusing on underwriting in the London Market for 25+ years, but started in Lloyds dealing with a wide range of Marine Claims in 1988.

Worked for:

• AXA Corporate Solutions
• Allianz Global Corporate an Specialty
• Lancashire Group
• Lombard Continental
• Various Underwriting Agencies/MGA’s

Current member:

• Joint Hull Committee,
• Joint War Committee,

Current Chair of the IUA (International Underwriting Association) Marine Technical Committee.

Peter Mellett
Managing Director, BankServe

Peter Mellett is Managing Director of BankServe Insurance Services and has been involved in marine insurance as a broker for 37 years, with experience in all types of claims work. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute, has lectured on marine underwriting and for three years was the senior marine claims examiner for the Chartered Insurance Institute.

Since 1996 Peter has specialised in acting for ship finance institutions with particular emphasis on arranging contingent insurance protection for Mortgagees. Peter specialises in assisting with disputed claims under owners policies and has been involved in over 80 Mortgagees Interest Insurance claims during that time, having collected the largest MII claim that has been made.

Simon Ballard
Managing Director, CRS Yachts

Simon started his career in marine insurance over 20 years ago, straight after school, working for Willis Faber & Dumas (now Willis). He initially worked in claims and then moved to placing risks. It was at this point Simon identified an opportunity in the growing market for yacht insurance, as he saw there was limited expertise in the sector, which requires high levels of service and knowledge. In 1998, Simon moved to a specialist London insurance broker with a portfolio of superyachts. In 2002, he set up CRS Yachts, a specialist division of a Lloyd’s broker purely servicing the superyacht industry. Five years later, Simon completed a management buyout and continued the CRS Yachts brand as a Lloyd’s broker, and the company has continued to expand.

Paul Miller
Director of Underwriting, Hiscox

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Béatrice Favarel-Veidig
Founding Partner, Favarel & Associés

Béatrice Favarel is the founding and named partner of Favarel & Associés, a French Law Firm established in Marseille.

In 2015 she has been decorated with the “Insigne de Chevalier dans l’Ordre du Mérite Maritime”, the highest honour in France for persons working in the maritime field.

She is specialized in Conflicts of Law as well as in Maritime and Transport law. Béatrice is known for her reactivity when it comes to ship arrests. She counsels in all international litigations for a wide range of clients including renowned shipyards, national and international companies, banks, financial institutions, assets management companies, insurance and reinsurance companies, brokers and private clients. She also deals with negotiation, drafting and execution of Yacht sale agreements and also helps companies to set up shipyards.

In 2015, Béatrice has been granted with the Certificate of Specialization in arbitration.

President of the “Transportation” division of the UIA from 1998 to 2004. She is a member of WISTA (Women’s International Trading and Shipping Association), as well as the French Association of Maritime Law and the Mediterranean Institute for Maritime Transport.

Béatrice is working in French and English, but her associates work also in Russian and Spanish.

Christine Cassar Naudi
Senior Associate, Ganado Advocates

Christine Cassar Naudi is a Senior Associate within the Corporate Finance and Tax team at GANADO Advocates in Malta, and heads the firm’s tax practice for yachts.  She joined GANADO Advocates after working for a number of years with one of the Big Four firms in Malta in the international tax department.  Christine provides tax advice to mostly international clients (both corporate and individual) on optimal tax structuring through Malta, including income tax, stamp duty and VAT implications for clients with Malta-based companies and structures. She is a speaker at a number of seminars and conferences. n

Miguel Angel Serra Guasch
Principal Associate, Garrigues

Miguel Angel Serra is Principal at Garrigues, the Iberian Peninsula’s leading tax and legal services firm. He is solicitor, economist, master degree in Tax Law, lecturer in Tax law at Balearic Islands University, lecturer in the Master’s Degree in Taxation at the Balearic Islands University (UIB) and also lecturer at the renowned Eserp business school.

He joined the Tax Law Department of Garrigues in 1996 and has advised in many domestic and international projects to Spanish and foreign companies and individuals, especially those in the yachting industry as commercial and private yacht owners, yacht managers, marinas, shipyards, etc.

He is tax advisor of ANEN, the Spanish National Association of Nautical Business, regular speaker and moderator at national and international conferences on tax matters and regularly has articles published in the national and international press and specialized tax publications.

He is also member of the Balearic Islands Bar and Economist Associations and member of the board of the “Círculo d’Economía de Mallorca.

Nic Arnold
Head of Luxury Asset Advisory, PwC

Nic advises families, resident in the UK and overseas, on all aspects of their international private wealth structures and private assets. Nic heads up PwC’s Luxury Asset Advisory team and has extensive experience of advising multiple generational families on the tax and governance issues arising from their international lives and assets. Nic is passionate about Superyachts and helping her clients enjoy them to the full.

Rear Admiral Scott Lidbetter
Chairman, Veritas International

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Richard Webb
Managing Director, MarineGuard

A former professional yachtsman, Richard has some 60,000 miles of Ocean sailing and racing experience. Returning back to the UK shores, Richard’s company, MarineGuard Systems incorporated over 17 years ago, designs and integrates market leading security systems on some of the world’s largest yachts and offshore facilities.

With strong technical and management teams, as well as some award winning products, MarineGuard are a powerful driving force in innovation and security technology development.

With a fastidious eye for detail, Richard is pushing for accreditation within the marine security industry and has been relentlessly trailblazing genuine, professional maritime security solutions in contrast to ‘Ad Hoc’  AV/IT providers ‘having a go’.

Andy Young
Managing Director, SPS – Special Projects and Services Limited

Andrew Young left the Royal Hong Kong Police in 1988 after seven years service, predominantly in the Special Duties Unit, their elite counter-terrorist unit. He has operated in more than 50 countries including as a retained Kidnap and Ransom advisor in Latin America, Asia-Pacific, Africa, Middle East and Europe.

In 1991 he established Special Projects and Services (SPS) as a specialist solutions provider for UHNW families and family offices. Extensive work has been conducted in the Superyacht industry on behalf of those families.

Toby Ecuyer
Creative Director, Redman Whiteley Dixon

With an architectural education and background in high end commercial interiors, Toby began his yacht design career in 2000 with the idea of combining his great passion for sailing and his fascination for design. He went on to join RWD in 2004 and became creative director in 2007, more recently in 2013 he was made a partner. Toby has a creative overview on all aspects of RWD’s portfolio and works closely with clients in establishing the design for their individual projects.

Toby is also the project director for the RWD Auto Tour which has been gathering pace since it’s inauguration in 2008. Initially dreamt up as method of transport to get to Monaco in time for the Yacht Show, the annual rally is now nearing 25 classic or supercars and approximately 50 participants.

Simon Rowland
CEO & Co-founder, Veritas International

Simon co-founded Veritas in 2004 after a 16 year career in the Royal Marines, 10 of which were spent with the Special Boat Service (SBS).  He has been instrumental in creating Veritas as an international security brand, has led the development and delivery of appropriate security services into the superyacht industry and specialises in ultra-high net worth family protection services.  Simon is passionate about the delivery of exceptional standards within the security industry.

Simon Cardiff
Strategy Consultant, Issues in Superyacht Ownership

Simon Cardiff is a strategy consultant advising superyacht owners, builders and the supply chain on superyacht ownership, asset management and governance.

Based near Monaco in the south of France, he helps clients to be in control of superyacht ownership, to integrate their personal demands for enduring luxury experience into disciplined full-lifecycle superyacht ownership strategies, and to turn around underperforming superyacht portfolios.

Previously, Simon was a lawyer at an international law firm in London advising clients on corporate transactions, governance and regulatory compliance across a range of industries. Simon started his career as a weapons and electrical engineering officer in the Royal Australian Navy, which included roles in operational service, commissioning new warships and asset/operational/logistics lifecycle management. He has degrees in law and electrical engineering and a masters degree in international politics.

 William Sturm
Executive Sales Director, Avpro Inc

William Sturm is a business aviation specialist who has worked in all facets of the industry. He has managed aircraft fleets for major international companies and as a consultant has assisted both companies and individuals in acquiring and selling more than $500 million worth of aircraft in all corners of the globe.

Captain Alain Viard
Pilot, Helicopt’ex

Alain is an ex-French Navy pilot. He has been flying helicopters since 1982, totalling 8,000 hours on rotary wing.   He is EASA certified with night and instrument ratings. He is also qualified as a EASA Instructor and Type rating examiner. After 24 years in the navy, Alain joined the offshore helicopter industry, operating for oil and gas companies in Middle East and Africa. He managed air operations and training for a helicopter public transport company on the French Riviera before joining Luviair in early 2008.

Nigel Watson
CEO, Luviair

Nigel is recognised as one of the leading authorities on VIP helicopter operations within the luxury yachting industry and in the field of aviation management.

Spanning over twenty years, Nigel served as a seaman officer in the Royal Navy, Sultan of Oman’s Navy and in the luxury yachting industry. This service culminated in his appointment as the first Captain of the Motor Yacht GOLDEN SHADOW. During this time, Nigel acquired significant and varied embarked air asset management experience. As both a yacht master and commercial helicopter pilot, Nigel understands both the yacht Captain and the Pilot’s perspectives when it comes to onboard air operations.

Nigel recognised that the future would bring larger yachts with embarked helicopters and founded his first aviation company ‘Heli Riviera’ in the South of France in 2000, he remains the owner today. Heli Riviera provides operational support services from its Cannes Mandelieu airport base and accredited heli-yachting training services to yacht crews.

Subsequently in 2006, Nigel established ‘Luviair’, an Isle of Man based aviation management company and private helicopter operator, managing helicopters for VIP clients flying predominantly in the luxury yachting industry. Luviair currently manages a fleet of twin engine Airbus helicopters in London, the South of France and embarked at sea.

Built on the expertise he has gained in the heli-yachting world, Nigel’s specialist consulting company, ‘Nigel Watson Limited’, focuses upon the integration of helicopters aboard some of the largest super yachts in the world, helicopter acquisitions and sales.

Karin Paggi
Head of Sales, Custom Line

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James Lawson
Partner, Hill Dickinson

James specialises in the commercial aspects of the yacht team’s work, including new build and refit / repair contracts, sale and purchase agreements, project and yacht management agreements, interior / exterior designer and naval architect agreements and superyacht finance transactions. He also advises on ownership, regulatory, registration, crewing and fiscal issues arising out of the ownership and operation of superyachts. He acts on behalf of owners, yacht brokers, banks, managers, designers, corporate service providers and builders.

He has presented at a number of industry seminars around the world and contributes to leading superyacht publications.

Jimmy Carroll
Head of Marketing, Winch Design

Jimmy Carroll is Head of Marketing and Communications for the world-renowned design studio Winch Design. The WD team of 70 people (who hail from all over the world) is today recognised as one of the leading International Design Studios. Since its foundation, the studio has delivered 55 super yachts including both sailing and motor yacht projects – and has won over 30 prestigious awards from the leading awards bodies. With dedicated exterior and interior Yacht, Aviation and Architecture departments and a highly experienced decorating team, WD offers its clients a fully turnkey design package. The studio’s deliveries include M/Y Madame Gu (99m Feadship). Previously Jimmy was the Global Tour Operations Manager for Manchester United Football Club, charged with delivering the most successful tours in sport. Jimmy started his career in the British Army, serving in 1st The Queens Dragoon Guards and won two Gallantry Awards whilst deployed on Operational Tours and worked within the Ministry of Defence delivering UK strategic policy and governance.