Paul Miller

Director of Underwriting, Millstream Underwriting & Nexus Europe UK Branch

Currently Director of Underwriting at Millstream Underwriting Limited Ltd one of the largest Yacht and Marine Leisure Underwriting Agencies in the London & European Markets who market their products under the brand names of: Yachtsure24, Yachtsure, Marinasure & Racecover.

Millstream have Underwriting authority from both Lloyd’s and the Company market and represent some of the largest and highest quality Insurers in the World. They insure a wide spectrum of yachts ranging from €5,000,000 to the €500,000,000 Mega yachts seen in Monaco.

We developed a specialist product “Racecover” for the high tech state of the art racing yachts and have insured the Volvo 65 fleet, Open 60’s, GC32’S and TP52’s among many .

I currently manage a team of 6 people underwriting a portfolio of Yacht & associated products, Marinas, Yacht yards and Builders Risks with a GWP of just under £20,000,000.

I have worked in the Lloyd’s market since 1977 and have been a leading underwriter within the yacht market since 1985.

I have specialised in the Yacht and Marine Trade/Leisure Industry over the last 35 years and have been both Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Yacht Advisory Committee and Vice Commodore of Lloyd’s Yacht Club.

I previously sat on The London Joint Hull Committee for 8 years and also Chaired the International Union of Marine Insurers Inland, Fishing vessel and Yachts (IFY) Committee for a number of years.

I have spoken at many International Conferences including IUMI, Project 2002, Seas 2004, the GlobalSuperyacht Forum, the Asia Pacific Superyacht Conference, The World Marina Conference and Chaired the Future of Superyachts Conference for over 5 years.

Quentin Bargate

Founder & CEO, Bargate Murray

Marcela de Kern Royer

Principal of Onboard Monaco

Marcela de Kern Royer, she is a Monaco resident founder and owner of Onboard, a consulting firm based in Monaco specialized in the sales to HNWI and luxury marketing in the yachting industry. Author of the first textbook ever written about The Superyacht Industry,and program director of the Yachting Masterclass in the Yacht Club de Monaco.  Previously she was commercial director for ICON Yachts shipyard in the Netherlands and was also the founder and president of the Young Professionals in Yachting (YPI) Monaco chapter, among many other pursuits.

Apart from her professional services, she is also an influential social media figure in yachting (@onboard.mc and @onboardwithmarcela)  She has a passion for all things yachting and is known worldwide for being a trusted spoke person for the yachting industry.

Ian Malouf

Managing Director, Ahoy Club

Captain Malcolm Jacotine

A Master Mariner with an engineering, computing and business background who has been involved in the superyacht industry since 1989.  He has been fortunate to serve on yachts such as ECO, Lady Marina, Equanimity, Eclipse, Ulysses, Serene and Aviva (98). His experience encompasses all aspects of yacht operation, management, design, new build and refit. 

 In his maritime career he has also been fortunate to sail most oceans and sea, the Amazon and Congo rivers, the Chilean fjords and visit the remote Cocos Island National Park.

He is the owner of Three Sixty Marine a Monaco based superyacht consultancy established to help owners get the best from yachting. An author and commentator on subjects such as command, manning, operation and management and leading advocate for sustainable yachting.  He recently launched superyacht2030.com a platform to both challenge and educate the industry on environmental issues.  

 An Associate Fellow of the Nautical Institute and member of the Yacht Club de Monaco.

Jessica Galea

Senior Associate, Dingli & Dingli Law Firm

Jessica Galea graduated as a Doctor of Laws (LL.D) from the University of Malta in 2008 and was admitted to the Maltese Bar in January 2009. She read a Master’s Degree in international maritime law at the IMO’s IMLI, and graduated in May 2009.  

Jessica has formed part of Dingli & Dingli Law Firm’s Shipping Department since 2009, and works on all shipping and yachting related matters, including yacht and vessel registrations, mortgage registration and yacht finance under Malta and various other jurisdictions, incorporation of Maltese shipping organisations, assistance with yacht importation via Malta, support with yacht sale and purchase transactions, assistance from a legal perspective with the establishment of finance and operating leases, and advice on crewing and other regulatory issues.

Jessica is a member of the Malta Chamber of Advocates and the Malta Maritime Law Association (MMLA), and forms part of the MMLA’s yachting sub-committee. She actively participates in the events of the Malta Chamber of Commerce, the Super Yacht Industry Network Malta, and shiparrested.com.

Fotis Geranios

Head of Charter Management, IYC Greece

Born and raised in Athens, it’s truly in Greece that Fotis developed his passion for the tourism industry. He completed his studies in Hotel and Hospitality management, as well as Public Relations and then began his career by working as a Manager in several renowned hotels in the island of Mykonos, which he considers his second home.

In 2007 Fotis entered the yachting industry, first as a Fleet Manager and then as a Junior Charter Manager.

Since April 2015 he holds the position of Head of Charter Management at IYC Greece.

Fotis has traveled all around the globe either to discover new destinations or to visit his all time favorite ones. For Fotis, every little corner of the world has a potential for chartering.

Alex Chumillas

Tax Marine & Aviation Spain SL

Richard Felipes

Marine Insurance Consultant, Capurro Insurance & Investments

Racing dinghies since the age of 12 with my first international on 420’s at 15. Sailing has always been one my sporting passions. Later in life proceeded to 2 x J 24 Europeans and one International followed by 4 Rolex Swan Nautor Cups amongst others.

Graduating in International Marketing with French I started off my career in Media then moved onto Industry with Product Marketing – In the world of Pharmaceuticals allowing me to travel the world as a Regional Export Manager. I then changed industry upon returning to Gibraltar and moved into Finance focusing mainly on investments and worked for AIG for many years. I also run my own Private Company for a few years raising equity and senior debt for building projects

My life changed further when I was offered an opportunity to get involved in the sector I love “Yachts” doing Marine Insurance mainly for pleasure craft. I took the daring step of working for myself and built up a very healthy private portfolio of yachts and super yachts mainly focusing in Europe. Currently working under the license of Capurro Insurance and Investments Ltd. in Gibraltar which is where I originate from. With Brexit this led to us opening an additional operation in Malta to service all EU Flags and EU Nationals. It has been a great 16 years thus far and I hope to have many more to come. Success with Yachts and with Super Yachts in the latter 8 years is all down to 3 major focal points in the following order of priority:

*The quality of the security I bring to the table
*Claims Involvement
*Pricing

The above 3 areas of focus are crowned by consistent and good communication. This has resulted in a highly loyal client base over the years that have in turn been my major source of advertising.

“ If you have passion and belief in what you do you will be successful”

Christine Cassar Naudi

Partner, Tax Advisory, Ganado Advocates

Christine Cassar Naudi is a Partner within the corporate finance and tax team at Ganado Advocates, 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 tax optimisation 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.

Richard Lambert

Head of Sales and Senior Partner, Burgess

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.

Richard has a BSc (Hons) in Geography and Oceanography from Plymouth University and is a keen sailor and skier.

Jon Henley

Partner, Lending Solutions, B Capital Services

Jon is a Partner with B Capital, a European Multi-Family Office and has responsibility for Lending Solutions. Jon has over 20 years of lending-centric experience in Structured Finance, Private Banking and Commercial Credit, almost all of which has centred around transportation and a particular focus on hard asset lending across the aviation and marine sectors.

Prior to joining B Capital, Jon held senior roles with global financial institutions, most recently with Deutsche Bank and Barclays, where he structured and executed transactions for private individuals, family offices, commercial operators, leasing platforms and private equity.

Jean-Philippe MASLIN

Associé/Partner, Richemont Delviso

Andrew Grant Super

Managing Director, Superyacht Experiential Adventure Co, Berkeley Rand

MD of Berkeley Rand, a Superyacht experiential travel expedition design & engineering house. Part of BWA Yachting. Advisor to UHNWs and yacht owners on planning adventures for their guests and working closely and intimately with the owners and their representatives. Developed the first NFT Superyacht experiences. Expert in immersive technologies on board and for the experiences at sea in remote and local regions. 

Craig Barnett

Triton Submersibles

Carlos Miquel

PA Yacht Charters

Carole Plessy

VP Maritime & Energy, One Web

Carole Plessy is Head of Maritime product development for OneWeb, the global communications company that is revolutionising satellite networks to bring much needed connectivity to rural and remote places, and greater connectivity to existing markets.

OneWeb’s mission is to enable internet access everywhere for everyone. OneWeb is building a communications network with a constellation of Low Earth Orbit satellites. It’s high speed, low latency, network will offer game-changing mobility solutions to industries that are currently being held back by the lack of full global connectivity, such as Aviation, Maritime, Automotive, Enterprise and more.

Carole joined OneWeb in 2018 with a background in satellite telecommunications and more than 20 years of business leadership and experience working across R&D and complex project management and product integration.

Carole has extensive knowledge of the Maritime sector based on her previous role at Inmarsat, where she was Senior Director of Digital Products and, prior to that, Director of Maritime Product Development, responsible for new software delivery from concept to launch. 

At OneWeb, Carole’s focus is on developing global services for commercial launch that only a global satellite constellation network can uniquely support. Examples of these services include cyber-security, onboard IoT, logistics, hi-speed Broadband at sea, environmental, weather and market data-gathering.  

Carole has an MSc in Engineering and Electrotechnology from the University of Toulon, an MSC in Aeronautics and Telecommunications from the Ecole Nationale de L’Aviation Civile, and a doctoral program degree from the University Paul Sabatier.

Gunes Aysun

Galeo Yachting

GALEO Yachting, Med-Sun Turizm Yatcilik ve Tic. Ltd. Sti., Mugla, Turkey

www.galeoyachting.com
Founder & Managing Owner
Developed & managed a business offering charter, brokerage, management & agency services in East Med. Central agency portfolio include around 20 yachts, power & sail. Specialised in vessels between 80–200 ft. First Turkish company accepted to CYBA & MYBA. One of the founders of & current President of TYBA (TYBA Yachting & Brokers Association).

E d u c a t i o n:
University of Manchester, School of Management, Manchester, UK
MSc. in Management

Bosphorus University, School of Engineering, Istanbul, Turkey
BSc. In Mechanical Engineering
Deutsche Schule Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey
High School Graduate

Additional Information:
Member of:
Worldwide Yacht Brokers Association (MYBA)
Charter Yacht Broker’s Association (CYBA)
TYBA Yachting & Brokers Association (TYBA), President
American Yacht Charter Association (AYCA)
Fethiye & Bodrum Chamber of Maritime Commerce
Fethiye Skål Club
Göcek Yacht Club
Holder of FAA & Turkish Private Pilot’s Licence & CYA Canadian Captain’s

Licence & Turkish Amateur Yachtsman License
Born 1966 in Istanbul, married with two sons, Turkish national, GSM 0533 6131146

Umberto Vallino

Marketing & Business Development Manager, Aeroports de la Cote d`Azur

Customers Relations & Business Development Manager at Groupe Aeroports de la Cote d’Azur (airports Nice, Cannes Mandelieu and St.Tropez)

Umberto knows all the ins and outs of international business aviation development and business airport development and it all started in his early career as a flight dispatcher and operation manager.
Umberto was a lecturer in the topics ‘Aviation Planning and Management’ and ‘Airport Design’ at the SKEMA Business School at its Sophia Antipolis campus in France. SKEMA is a global research and higher education institution that trains talents who are committed to transforming the world through a sustainable approach.

Mr. Vallino is a Member of the Sapphire Pegasus Award Advisory Board for Caribbean. He is a graduate of the Universita degli Studi di Torino (University of Turin). He is fluent in Italian (mother tongue) French, English, (Portuguese, and Spanish)

David Best

SVP Regional Operations and GM, Americas, Jet Aviation

David Best was appointed SVP regional operations and general manager for the Americas in 2019, where he is responsible for driving the successful growth of the U.S. region by focusing on customer engagement and advancing our U.S. operations.
Since joining Jet Aviation in 2017, Best has also managed a number of successful business development projects, most notably the acquisition and integration of Hawker Pacific and the Scottsdale Jet Center in the U.S. He assumed the role of SVP strategic global growth in 2018 and made significant progress in aligning the sales organization and improving customer data management.

In addition to his role at Jet Aviation Best serves on the Board of National Air Transportation Association and Leadership Council of the National Business Aviation Association, has also served as Vice Chairman Asian Business Aviation Association and on the Governing Board of the International Business Aviation Council. With over 20 years’ experience in the industry Best has worked and lived in Europe, Asia and the USA throughout his business career.

He is a graduate of the University of Strathclyde, where he earned his MBA, and is a member of the
Institute of Directors.

Eric Weisskopf

Hyperion Aviation /Flying Group

Christelle Chamot

VP Sales Aircraft Management, EJM Executive Jet Management Europe (a Netjets Business)

Tom Chatfield

CEO, Camber Aviation Management

Thomas Chatfield is a leader in aircraft completions and refurbishment management, and a corporate jet visionary with 35 years of experience in the aviation industry. He founded Camber Aviation Management in 2014, managing corporate aircraft completion and refurbishment projects ranging from Bombardier and Dassault business jets to Airbus and Boeing narrow-and widebody aircraft.

The Camber Team collectively has more than 135 years of aviation experience, with each member having worked with corporate aircraft for a minimum of 15 years.   

He has held Part 145 and CAMO Postholder positions;  managed operations, maintenance and engineering departments; managed complex completions; performed aircraft acceptances and lease returns; and recovered aircraft from challenging situations.

Tom is a trained avionics technician holding Transport Canada and EASA Aircraft Maintenance Engineer licences, with an MSc in Airline Transport Management from Cranfield University.

He and each member of the Camber Team are aviation professionals who are passionate about corporate jets.

Juris Zacs

Insurance Broker & Branch Manager, Marine Insurance Services

Being a branch manager and director of aviation and marine insurance in Spain, he is representing specialized insurance brokerage Marine Insurance Services SIA Sucursal en España (Branch in Spain) which is a part of the Marine Services Group™ (MSG), a unique group of companies covering more than 25 products for the maritime, aviation and transport industry in 4 general business lines: Insurance, Legal, Shipsale and Survey.

Juris has almost 20 years of insurance brokering experience and more than a decade working closely with Marine Insurance Services to develop general and business aviation solutions for the aviation industry.

By closely working with business aviation market, Juris has been a key person for many business jet owners and operators helping successfully to place adapted insurance programs with well know and reputed insurance companies across the globe.

Katie Bancroft

Associate, Jaffa & Co

Katie Bancroft is an English business aviation lawyer working from London and Farnborough Airport.  She handles all aspects of the multi-jurisdictional sale, purchase, finance, new build and registration of fixed-wing and rotor aircraft. She also assists clients in implementing ownership structures and dealing with VAT issues arising in respect of these assets, alongside our preferred tax partners.

Katie’s clients value her practical and commercial approach to deals. They also note her adaptability and skill at guiding clients through transactions, whether they are industry experts or first time buyers.

Dave Falberg

VP international of Satcom Direct

David Falberg leads SD’s international teams, from Europe, Middle East and Africa to APAC. His remit includes achieving and exceeding growth targets, managing business development and establishing partnerships to maximize business value for customers worldwide. He uses his impeccable commercial awareness and experience to develop, establish and strengthen relationships with customers, partners and colleagues. His ability to analyze the market combined with his forward-thinking approach continues to successfully drive the company’s international growth. 

David joined Satcom Direct in 2016 following a career spanning 15 years in the Telecom and IT sectors, where he provided sophisticated terrestrial connectivity solutions to a vast array of global businesses. This knowledge positions him as one of the most trusted and respected executives in the business, government, and military aviation sector.

Yuri Dzun, Sales and Marketing (Europe)

ArcosJet

Rory Jackson

Head of Superyachts, Vessels Value

Having spent eight years covering the superyacht industry as both a journalist and consultant, Rory is passionate about hastening the next iteration of the superyacht market in respect to it becoming more data focussed, transparent and professional.

Captain Nigel Marrison

Founder and Director Blue ESG

Warja Borges

Interior Aircraft Designer, Unique Aircraft

Warja Borges – specialist for YOUR UNIQUE high-end flying experience

Warja Borges was born in Munich and raised by an artist mom opening her eyes for culture and art by travelling with here from early age. Since a very early age, she was always creative in many different ways which logically lead to the decision to study design.

After 4 years engineering study of interior architecture and design and some years of practice creating interiors for residences and offices, she got the chance to work with Reiner Heim Aircraft Interior Design, based in Munich.

For ten years she was with his team designing bespoke interiors for various customers and aircraft types in cooperation with well-known completion center mainly Lufthansa Technik.

After fruitful and experiencing years with Reiner Heim she started her own business and became an independent designer. Since 2010 she is working with clients and aviation facilities worldwide.

Pioneering excellence in design to meet the customer´s vision

Warja Borges´ inventiveness skills combined with her knowledge of engineering constrains in the aircraft allows her to extend the limits.

With more than 20 years of experience the creative mind behind UNIQUE AIRCRAFT feels at home in the aircraft, knowing every detail – and thinking beyond the customary methods of interior design without compromising on the aesthetic, functionality, quality or project schedule.

Passionate about the combination of design and technical solutions as well as colors and materials, she is building the bridge between the customer´s visions and the feasibility in aviation.

Working closely with the all parties guarantees that she will achieve the best solution.

Warja´s passion is to design interiors that make the passengers to forget the inconvenience of travel.

 Creating an atmosphere, not just a space

At Unique Aircraft we do not create simply a design, we create an atmosphere. Wellbeing on board is as important to us as the design itself and is embedded into the heart of what we do – from the materials selected, to the colour palette and elegant use of lighting, we work tirelessly to ensure the onboard experience caters to all the senses. Our clients say that they can truly feel the Uniqueness.

 UNIQUE offers tailored, custom solutions, which respect maintenance and operational needs, appreciating that an aircraft’s main purpose is to be a comfortable and efficient transportation tool.

We therefore channel our efforts to ensuring that the designs are right first time and that our speed matches yours in terms of decision making and response.

Our approach is personal – we draw on our knowledge – we act decisively.

In her portfolio are over 15 narrow body and 5 widebody completion and various design concepts, BBJ 1-3 and MAX generation A319-321 and neo generation, B777-200, 300er and B777X, B747-300, -400, -800, A330, A340, A350, A380

Her peak of success was designing the Boeing Demonstrator, (design Award winner 2018)

And winning the Designer of the Year Award 2018 by Design et Al.

Eugen Hartl

EH Aviation Advisors

Maja Ban

MYS Yachting

Maja graduated in 2000 with a BA in Economics from the University of Zagreb in Croatia.  She is also a licensed Maritime Agent and holds a Certificate for Superyacht Management from the Maritime Training Academy in the United Kingdom.

Maja began her yachting career in 2005 as a stewardess on various mega yachts.  Working on the private, busy charter and new build yachts, she learned firsthand the operational, technical and administrative aspects of running a super yacht.

After gaining this valuable experience while cruising the world, crossing the Suez and Panama channels and the Atlantic ocean, chartering in the Caribbean and West Med, and spending time in some of the best shipyards in Holland, Germany and the USA, Maja left yachts as a chief stewardess in 2008 to open MYS Yachting.

She started the company as a boutique yachting company to service luxury mega yachts in Croatia and Montenegro.

After a decade of growth and building relationships in the industry and in the region, MYS Yachting is now a diverse team of individuals with backgrounds in yachting, tourism, finance, technology.

Initially a maritime/yacht agency for mega yachts in Croatia and Montenegro, MYS Yachting has added VAT and fiscal representation and charter and management services.

Cpt. Matteo Malffati

MY Sangha

Born and raised in northern Italy, Matteo is a former army marine who fell in love with the sea and pursued a career as a yacht captain. He has been exploring remote destinations on board Sailing Yachts, and crossed the Oceans many times. 

As an outdoors lover and CrossFit fanatic he loves to keep his crew active and healthy, always ready to deliver the best experience to their guests.

Based out of Spain, he is now dedicated to running Motor Yachts in the Mediterranean, with a very special attachment to Croatia, its islands and its blue waters.

Eli Gajinov

Hospitality Manager, SeaNet

After graduating from the University in Zagreb, Croatia, Eli joined the world of tourism – her passion since childhood. She builds her career through different branches of tourism like tourist publications and sailing tourism. When the opportunity arise she jumped on yachts and upgrade her skills and knowledge in the luxurious hospitality sector.

She worked for 5 years on different yachts ranging from 36 to 140 meters, bringing her to where she is today. After 2 years of working as a Chief Stewardess on board one of the yacht in the
SeaNet Europe fleet, she stepped off the yachts into the land-based position.

Eli is now running the Hospitality Manager position for SeaNet Europe with the responsibility of the fleet’s interior department, handling communication and planning with all the Owners and
Charter guests, setting up standards for the fleet, and developing future companies’ growth.

Stipe Baturina

ASAP Provisioning Company

My name is Stipe Baturina.

I am an entrepreneur and co-owner of several companies in the tourism and hospitality sector.

I am the CEO of ASAP Adriatic, a yacht supply company operating in Croatia.

I like to explore different cultures especially in the food and beverage segment.

My goal is to introduce as many clients as possible to the Croatian gastro scene and bring them closer to the best that Croatia as a destination has to offer.

Ina Rodin

Convene Hospitality

Ina has more than 20 years in the hospitality and tourism industry. From October 2014 to November 2021, she has directed the Croatian National Tourism Office in North America, based in New York. She was tasked with building awareness of Croatia in the North American market while encouraging U.S. tourists to visit Croatia and explore and experience its diverse landscape and rich culture.

Prior to joining CNTB, Ms. Rodin directed a consulting company specializing in asset management, sales and marketing, and was a visiting Professor lecturing on Tourism & Hospitality Management at Zagreb School of Economics and Management.  In 2008, Ina was employed by Horwath HTL., a U.S.-based company with franchise offices in Zagreb, Croatia, Belgrade, Serbia, and Rome, Italy, where she provided HTL advisory services in the SEE and Italy. She began her career with Valamar Hotels and Resorts, Croatia’s leading hotel management company, and was involved in product development and hotel operations for 40 properties. 

Ina earned her MSc Degree in Economics and Tourism at Bocconi University in Milan, Italy and graduated from Zagreb Faculty of Economics with a Major in tourism.  In 2013, she published a book “Principles of Tourism” a textbook used in Croatian high schools, with Zoran Kasum and Lidija Birin, and was a co-author of TURIZAM Studije slučaja Hrvatske i regije (Tourism – An Analysis of Croatian Best-Case Studies) with M. Hanžek, P. Haramija, H.Jerković, A. Kuštrak Korper, O. Jurković Majić, H. Maljak M. Martinović, K.Miličević, V. Pirić, I. Rodin, K. Šorić, publisher: MATE Ltd, Zagreb, 2016.

She was awarded Virtuoso’s Ambassador of the Year in 2017.

Burak Baykan

Dogus Group

Burak Baykan is the Regional Director of Dogus Group for SEE and he is responsible for the activities of the group in the region.

He was born in Istanbul, Turkey on 8 August 1975. He was graduated from Boğaziçi University, Faculty of Business Administration, Department of Politics and International Relations in 1998, and from Touro University in Moscow in 2001, holding  Master degree of Business Administration (specialized on Marketing).

From 1999 until 2009 he worked in Russia, on several executive positions, he had done consultancy, was Commercial Director at JVT Dynamic Logistics and Area Manager in Koleksiyon Mobilya.

In December 2007 he started his career in Dogus Holding (Moscow, Russia) as Advisor to CEO. In January 2010 he became the part of Investment Department of the group, and started to work as Regional director for Croatia and Montenegro, with responsibility for executing the strategic direction and ongoing operations in both Croatia and Montenegro.

He was leading the nautical tourism and yachting related businesses of the group. From  2018 until the end of 2020 he was the CEO of D – Marin, global marina network. He also acted as Board Member for MB92 Barcelona between 2015 and 2019.

Regarding activities and memberships Burak Baykan was active as President for Turkey – Croatia Business Council (DEIK), Executive board member for Turkey – Montenegro Business Council (DEIK). He is still the member of Managing Board of Foreing Investors Council and active in Croatia Turkey Friendship Association.

Teo Petricevic

Capax

After finishing of Faculty of maritime studies Teo started his career at sea as an Apprentice Engineer on a passenger vessel.

He has worked in maritime industry since 2002 through various roles acting as a Marine Engineer, Project Manager, Marine Surveyor and Managing Director represented purchasers and sellers in a wide variety of complex acquisition and transactions.

In recent years Teo has been involved in the development of Capax Ltd company and their affiliates; Yacht Consulting Group; consulting and management company and Adria Docks; refit and repair service centre in Croatia and Montenegro taking care about financing, acquisitions, contracts, business agreements.

Diane M. Byrne

Owner, MegayachtNews.com

Diane M. Byrne is the owner of MegayachtNews.com, a daily website educating American superyacht owners, buyers, and their circles of influence about the leading builders, designers, cruising destinations, and more. A journalist with 35 years’ experience, she founded the site in 2007 as the first, and still the only, American-focused online media outlet exclusively covering this market. It features all-original content, for real stories of real interest. She is additionally one of the most-sought-after journalists for expert editorial coverage and commentary about this segment of the market.

Byrne further owns RedHedInk, a full-service editorial and marketing copywriting company, producing high-quality content for high-net-worth individuals.

Throughout her career, Byrne has held a number of leadership roles. These include serving on the U.S. Superyacht Association’s Board of Directors since 2015, where she is presently the Chair. She was on the International Superyacht Society Board of Directors for eight years as well. Outside of yachting, she’s a trustee of Sempre Avanti, a non-profit resource supporting Italian and Italian-American individuals, businesses, and organizations in the United States and Italy.

Alastair Callender

Moravia Yachting

LinkedIn Profile:  www.LinkedIn.com/in/AlastairCallender

As the only Yacht Charter Vacations & Sales Broker that has won International Awards for Sustainability, and Innovation and Yacht Design, Alastair draws upon a career of globally distinguished success. He has been featured by The New York Times, The Financial Times, CNN, The Sunday Times & all major yachting media.

Since founding his first business in 2008, Alastair has been asked to speak as an authority on the subject of Sustainability within the yachting sector at numerous conferences and events across three different continents. His 58m superyacht design of Soliloquy – The Super-Green Superyacht has been recognised by several International Award bodies, including the International Superyacht Society (winner of the Excellence in Innovation category), as well as the Condé Nast Traveller Innovation and Design Awards (winner of the Sustainable Design category).
 
10 years later, his design work is still cited today as a benchmark, including within the leading superyacht industry specific course on Sustainability.

Alastair has since launched the Americas region for Moravia Yachting. Moravia has had its headquarters in Monaco since 1962 and they are specialists in Yacht Charter Vacations, Sales Brokerage and New Build Project Management. The company is part of the wider Hill Robinson Group – a market leader in independent Yacht Management. The Hill Robinson Group are the first company in the yachting sector to Carbon Offset their entire global operations to support the first ‘Blue’ Carbon Project.

Today, Alastair now curates priceless memories on the world’s finest yachts: designing tailor-made luxury vacation experiences.
Having been directly involved in over 40 superyacht sales during his career to date, Alastair also advises clients on superyacht purchase, ownership, sales and new build projects.

Alastair gained a BA Honours First Class Degree in Boat Design with Professional Enhancement from Coventry University (UK).

Robert van Tol

Water Revolution Foundation

Robert’s passion is uniting people and organisations to achieve things that are beyond the scope of the individual.

While finalising his masters in Business Administration at Erasmus University in Rotterdam, he started working for the Superyacht Builders Association (SYBAss) shortly after its founding in 2007. In his role of operational director, Robert compiled statistics and economic reports for SYBAss members, worked on ISO standards, researched the Hong Kong (recycling) Convention, conducted a superyacht fleet carbon-offset study as well as an economic impact study, and managed the SYBAss Sustainability Committee. He currently volunteers as the international liaison for the Dutch chapter of Young Professionals in Yachting.

Aino Grapin

CEO, Winch Design

Aino joined Winch Design in 2016, bringing 20 years of
experience in leading and growing businesses in creative
industries, namely in the art, luxury and technology
sectors.

Holding an MBA from INSEAD, Aino started her career
as a strategy consultant with Bain & Company. She then
spent nearly a decade at Christie’s, in a variety of strategic
and operational roles. Aino works closely with Andrew,
The Board and Senior Management Team to ensure
Winch Design is as strong commercially as it is creatively

Lay Koon Tan

Co-Founder, Nature Squared

Malaysian-born Lay Koon Tan and is co-founder of Nature Squared, creating unique luxury surfaces from sustainable natural materials.

Lay Koon Tan moved to the UK in 1977. She studied at the London School of Economics in the early 1980s.

As a partner with the global accounting firm Arthur Andersen, Koon Tan consulted a wide range of financial institutions in the 1990s, including FTSE 100 companies, stock exchanges and central banks. In 2000 she founded Nature Squared: an ethical business, grounded on the principles of sustainability, leveraging heritage craft skills to transform waste natural materials into luxury surfaces for diverse applications. Koon Tan embarked on this venture with Paul Hoeve, former senior colleague from Andersen.

Koon Tan and Hoeve aimed to foster a holistic approach to sustainability: enhancing livelihood in emerging countries; preserving heritage skills; and encouraging stewardship of natural resources and local communities. Trade not aid is Nature Squared’s maxim.

Nearly 20 years later, Nature Squared is synonymous with beautiful surfaces, sustainability, innovation and the highest quality, found in the most exclusive surroundings: from the dashboard of a Rolls-Royce Phantom to superyacht, residential, hospitality and commercial interiors.

Nature Squared today employs a 200 strong workforce of artisans, engineers, materiologists and project managers, a large part of whom are based in the Philippines.

Jean-Philippe Maslin

Associé/Partner, Richemont Delviso Avocats

Dominic Bulfin

Director, Bargate Murray

Christophe Bourillon

CEO, PYA

Prior to joining the PYA, Christophe was Executive Director of the World Federation of Science Journalists.

He offers a 30-year experience in senior management, public affairs and communication at the national and international levels. He founded and led various trade associations, such as Wind Europe and drove other organisations through major transformations such as the World Nuclear Association, the European Biofuels association and the European robotics association.

He has been active on the international policy-making scene and was an accredited expert to the United Nations.  He participated in the negotiations of the UN Convention on climate change for more than fifteen years. An active speaker, Christophe had delivered more than 300 presentations at conferences worldwide, from United Nations plenary sessions to small village halls in the Arctic.

Karen Passman

Founder, Impact Crew

Karen is the founder of Impact Crew and has extensive’ experience developing managers, leaders and professionals, through facilitation, training, 1:1 coaching and assessment. She has a passion for developing people which is evident in her positive, enthusiastic and supportive style of delivery. She has consulted across a wide range of industry sectors, both in the UK and abroad. Karen’s aim is:- “to create a relevant, enjoyable and highly participative event, which gives you practical tools that are truly valuable in the work place”.

Karen’s expertise traverses the maritime industry and corporate world, where she provides management and leadership development as well as team building to a broad range of clients. Karen launched Impact Crew in 2007 and is determined to provide high quality leadership development for the Maritime Industry. Karen has designed and regularly delivers the MCA HELM (human element, leadership and management) operational and management courses, as well as PYA accredited courses.

Captain Malcolm Jacotine

John Wyborn

Co-founder & Director, Bluewater

John Wyborn is a co-founder and director of Bluewater, a yacht brokerage, charter and management company and a provider of crew training and placement services to a large proportion of the yacht crew population. He is President of MYBA (the worldwide yachting association), is on the board of the Professional Yachting Association (PYA) and is a board member of the International Association of Maritime Institutions (IAMI). He is Chairman of IAMI’s influential Small Ship subgroup. John also sits on the board of both the Merchant Navy Training Board and the Maritime Skills Alliance. He joined the Royal Navy as a seaman officer after university and served on various types of vessels including frigates, destroyers, and finally in command of HMS Mentor; a navigation and seamanship training vessel teaching RN trainees and foreign navies.

Joey Meen

Wolfram Gunther

Fidal

Mathieu Henry

Director, WYCC

Mathieu provides employee benefits in Yachting, Shipping, Cruising and Expats since 2005. 

He has extensive knowledge of the MLC and international social security regulation for seafarers.

His expertise allowed to promote the WYCC insurance products through a worldwide network of insurance brokers.

Amelie de Franssu

Senior Associate / Avocats au Barreau de Paris, Stream Avocats and Solicitors

Amélie has a particular expertise on all aspects of the yachting industry, especially regarding crewing (employment and social security) both in litigation and advisory, especially in international matters. She joined Stream (previously Ince & Co) in 2015.

 Amélie studied law in France, Germany and Canada.

Frederique Heurtel

Partner and Head of Employment Law Department, Stream Avocats & Solicitors

Frédérique is specialised in employment law and advises clients of Stream law, mainly employers, on all their employment law issues. Competent in both national and European laws, her clients are both French and international companies. Frédérique developed an expertise in maritime employment law since she joined Stream in 2017, after advising several shipowners and crew managers on those matters.

Frédérique is a graduate of HEC Paris, ranked 1^st Business School in Europe (Financial Times, 2019) and holds a double degree in management and business law.

Marianne Danissen

Head of Yacht Management, Camper & Nicholsons

Marianne spent over 10 years at sea sailing on various yachts as mate then later as chief engineer. She is very passionate about her time at sea and loved crossing the Atlantic to work busy charter seasons in the Caribbean and Owner trips in the Med.

Marianne spent 5 years in the engine rooms of motor and sailing yachts, during which time she developed a true passion for the engineering. In 2003, Marianne started as an assistant in the CNI Yacht Management Division and pursued her career in the maintenance and compliancy of yachts under ISM / ISPS management, a specialist area in which she became the manager for many years.

Marianne is also recently become a certified ILO trainer in the application of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006, and is highly interested in any new regulations which affect the yachting industry, she passed on her ISM / ISPS responsibilities to a new team member in 2013 and has taken over the role as Senior Fleet Manager. In September 2018, she has been nominated Deputy Head of Yacht Management Department based in the Monaco office.
After 16 years spent at C&N, Marianne has been appointed Head of Yacht Management in February 2019.

Laurence Lewis

President, YPI Crew

Laurence has been at the helm of YPI CREW since 2002, steering a course through the ever-changing and increasingly challenging environment of human resources in yachting. Building a team of highly talented specialist recruiters for over a decade, Laurence’s vision and drive have led to YPI CREW becoming the reference when it comes to crew placement on large yachts, worldwide.

Laurence started out her career in recruitment two decades ago, in 1993. She has worked for some of the sector’s most demanding employers, including Elite Medical Services, based in London’s Belgravia.

When she is not working with her team to place crew with some of the most discerning yacht owners, Laurence enjoys spending time with her Bassett hounds and listening to rock music – and she can tell you about some of the nicest high-altitude lakes to hike in the Mercantour.

John Cook

ILO certified trainer of MLC Inspectors, Lesia Group

John is the Managing Director of Lesia Employment Services ICC Limited, based in Guernsey, which started life in November 2010. Previously, in 2003, John formed the first company to offer employment services to the yacht industry. He has retained the knowledge he gained when working for HMRC, especially in the area of social security.

He was part of the MCA’s Large Yacht Sub-Group and instigated the PYA visit to the ILO offices in Geneva in February 2010 and worked with the Seafarers International Research Centre at Cardiff University in drafting the PYA qualitative survey for yacht crew.  He is an ILO certified trainer of MLC inspectors and regularly runs MLC training sessions on yachts and for yacht sector companies, and is a frequent speaker at yacht seminars and conferences.

From June 2022, John will be a Visiting Lecturer at the World Maritime University in Malmo, Sweden.

Georgia Allen

Project Manager, ISWAN

Georgia is Project Manager at the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN). She is responsible for the strategic delivery of ISWAN’s diverse range of projects related to seafarer mental and physical health and welfare; including their Yacht Crew Help platform, which provides 24/7 helpline support to superyacht crew in need. She works closely with the ISWAN international teams and a wide range of industry stakeholders, to ensure each project is informed by the latest research and findings.

Peter Edwards

General Manager, Voyonic Crew

Captain Nigel Marrison

Conscious Yachting Club

Tim Clarke

Director & Captain Consultant, Quay Crew

From 2006 to 2007 Tim was lucky enough to spend two years as a deckhand on MY Sai Ram and MY Leander, two excellent charter yachts. After leaving yachting, Tim moved up to London for a career in recruitment. Tim worked predominantly in the Finance and Accounting sector supplying senior staff to a variety of clients including Barclays, HSBC, Goldman Sachs and Thomson Reuters.

Quay Crew was set up in 2013 to provide a different recruitment service to yachts. Tim looks after the Captain roles whilst managing the team which is now 8 strong. One of the things Tim loves about his role is offering career and mentoring advice to Captains and senior Deck Officers. He also enjoys writing yachting related blogs which attempt to educate and guide crew in their chosen career.