Dieter A Jaenicke

Chairman & Founder, Viking Maritime

Chairman & Founder of the Viking Maritime Group which comprises of Viking Recruitment, Chiltern Maritime and The Maritime Skills Academy. Founded over 30 years ago he has brought this organisation from a small office in Dover Kent to a multi-million-pound organisation with its “state of the art” head office and Maritime Academy outside Dover, offices in Guernsey, Fort Lauderdale, Manila and Auckland.

With over 50 years of service to the Maritime Industry, after joining as a Deck Apprentice in 1967, Dieter sailed as Chief Officer in 1975 before coming ashore in 1976.  He has worked in Marine HR and Training since then.

Dieter has been been honoured with a Merchant Navy Medal in 2013 for services to the Merchant Navy and training. He is fully committed to serving the Maritime Community currently as  Chair of the Standing Joint Policy Committee of the Dreadnought medical service, Founding Board member of Britannia Maritime Aid, past President of The International Superyacht Society , board member of the Merchant Navy Training Board and a Younger Brother at Trinity House.

John A Huber

Chairman, Yachting Malta

John is the current Chairman at Yachting Malta Limited which is a public private partnership between the Government of Malta and the Royal Malta Yacht Club.

John set up the Yachting Services Trade Section within the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry where he served as Chairman and Secretary for a number of years. He also sat on the Board of Management and Council of the Chamber.

John has also worked in the field of taxation and immigration for the past 30 years, the last ten within his own practice.

John Huber sat on the Board of Governors at FinanceMalta, Eurochambres and CEDEFOP and is also a non-executive Director on a number of Maltese companies. He also served as President of the Malta Business Bureau and also sat on a number of EU advisory Boards.

John is a Fellow of the Malta Institute of Taxation and a member the Institute of Financial Services Practitioners and the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry.

Steve Malley

Head of Yachting & Aviation, Law Trust

Steve has had a long and varied career, but he is a VAT and Customs man by profession having spent 16 years with HM Customs & Excise before transferring into the private sector. Apart from undertaking general VAT and Customs consultancy on all matters of UK and EU VAT Steve moved into the Yacht and Aircraft sector in the 1990s with Williams Jeffrey Barber (owned by UBS) and then as Director of the Yacht and Aircraft Team at Fortis Bank. During this time Steve was involved with all manner of Yacht and Aircraft structuring, operations and taxation. He now provides VAT and Customs consultancy to various sectors including Brexit implications.

Stephen Ford

Head of Sales, Western Union Business Solutions

Stephen Ford has worked in sales for the past 8 years within the financial sector. In 2013 Stephen relocated to Malta and has worked for Western Union Business Solutions for the past 4 years and currently holds the position of Head of Sales.

Within his role, Stephen is on hand to provide assistance to International Businesses in Malta in protecting them against the ever-volatile foreign exchange market. With a vast portfolio of clients ranging from sole-traders to iGaming Companies, from large commercial airlines to private aviation companies. Each industry has their own challenge when it comes to the foreign exchange market; Stephen and his team at Western Union Business Solutions work with their clients to create bespoke risk management strategies.

Stephen is also a member of the Malta Round Table and holds certificates in Investment Management.

Mike Taylor-West ACII

Director Global Markets, Private Client, Marine & Aviation, LaPlaya Marine

Mike is a Maritime Business & Marine Law alumnus of the Institute of Marine Studies, University of Plymouth.

He is also a graduate of Britannia Royal Naval College, and a Chartered Insurance Broker. Mike brings over 20 years of international private client insurance experience, passion and enthusiasm to La Playa. Mike is also a keen windsurfer and skier.

Janet Xanthopoulos,

Legal Adviser, Rosemont

Sam Tucker

Head of Superyachts, VesselsValue

Sam has been involved with the Superyacht industry for almost seven years and now leads the Superyacht team at VesselsValue.

VesselsValue is an online data company specialising in market analysis and automated asset valuations in the shipping, offshore and Superyacht sectors.

Day-to-day Sam oversees the market analysis, guides the research department, and works on new developments for the VesselsValue Superyacht platform.

Working alongside commercial shipping analysts, Sam constantly compares the processes and markets found in shipping to those of Superyachts.

Gordon Vassallo

General Manager, Grand Harbour Marina

Gordon joined Camper & Nicholsons Marinas technical department in 2006, supporting with the preparation of marina layout designs, equipment specification and business plans. Gordon has been involved with the planning and construction of Cesme Marina, Port Louis, Serenity Marina and Calaponte.  He has a Bachelors Degree in Engineering and over 10 years experience in the marina industry. During 2014 Gordon was tasked to manage Grand Harbour Marina having total of 250 berths and capable to accommodate superyachts up to 135m in length. The marina operates 24/7 with a dedicated team of 18 employees.  

Roberto Perocchio

President of Assomarinas Italy

Roberto Perocchio, graduated from Law School, has been Managing Director of Venezia Terminal Passeggeri, the
Cruise Port of Venice, from 2005 to 2016. He owns three companies specialized in the development of marinas and real estate, such as Marina del Cavallino, and is currently President of ASSOMARINAS, the Italian Marina
Operators Association. His further professional experience includes among others:
– Since 1990 Board Member of UCINA
– Since 1991 Board Member of ICOMIA Marinas Group; appointed Chairman in 09/2009
– 2008 – 2012 President of Venice Yacht Pier
– Since 2013 National VP of Federturismo-Confindustria

Dr Tonio Fenech

Joint Managing Partner, Fenech Farrugia Fiott Legal

Dr Tonio Fenech obtained his Masters Degree in Maritime and Aviation law from the University of London (UCL) and his Doctorate in Maltese law from the University of Malta in 1986.

Representing the 3rd generation of lawyers in his family, he developed the international and corporate practice of Fenech & Fenech Advocates after 1988 and was the founding CEO of the Fenlex Group of companies, now a substantial trust and corporate services group in Malta. In 2008 he resigned from both positions and left the family firm to become a joint Managing Partner of the newly formed Fenech Farrugia Fiott Legal. This move allowed him to concretize his aspirations to develop an open-architecture legal practice and to focus on the development of the firm’s substantial corporate & commercial, aviation, financial services and fiduciary relationships department.

Tonio has practised law for over 30 years with an accent on corporate & commercial, financial services and asset finance law. He has a developed practice in the field of asset finance law, with particular accent on the field of ship and aviation finance law, and is one of the few Maltese specialists in fiduciary obligations and trust law. He often speaks at conferences and lectures regularly at the University of Malta teaching Maltese asset finance law, aspects of insurance law, trust & fiduciary obligations law. He is a Director of several group companies and was the founding Chairman of the ARQ Group of Companies which comprises multi-disciplinary advisory services in the field of tax, personal residence and various regulated industries. The Group also combines licensed trustee, fiduciary, corporate and accounting services, together with resource allocation and infrastructural support.

Dr Fenech also holds the position of the Honorary Consul of Lebanon to Malta.

Alexandre Trueba

Managing Director, WES

Alison Vassallo

Partner, Fenech & Fenech

dott Ezio Vannucci

Partner, Moores Rowland

After completing his studies in Economics at the University in Rome, Ezio Vannucci moved back to Viareggio, the capital of yachting in Italy, where he registered as Tax and Fiscal Consultant.

He is currently Partner of  Moores Rowland Partners with office in Viareggio and Milan.

Ezio is specialized in Tax, VAT and Customs law applied to the yachting , acting  as consultant for shipyards, Owners, Broker, International legal Firms; he further assists Owners, both Italian and Foreign,  in any  contractual issues related to new Yacht construction and Sale – Purchase of Yacht. He then assists Ownership in any litigation against Italian Authorities concerning Tax, Vat, Customs issues related to Yacht.

Ezio has almost 20 years’ experience in the sector and is one of the most active consultants on the Italian yachting scene today.

Ezio is a well-respected speaker at seminars and conferences dealing with yachting fiscal matters in Italy and in the EU, and he curates the fiscal section of some Italian and International yachting magazines and cooperates with FederAgenti, the National Association of Maritime Agent.

Miguel Ángel Serra

Partner, Albors Galiano Portales

Miguel Angel Serra is a partner of the law firm Albors Galiano Portales a leading firm in the Spanish and international practice of maritime law, yachting, transportation and insurance and reinsurance law.

He is solicitor and economist with a Master’s degree in Tax Law and Master’s degree in Town-Planning. Miguel Ángel is from 2005 Associate Professor in Tax law at the Balearic Islands University, and lecturer at the Master’s Degree in Taxation at the Balearic Islands University.

He has advised in many domestic and international projects to Spanish and foreign companies and individuals, especially those in the nautical sector as commercial and private yacht owners, yacht managers, marinas, shipyards, etc.

He is a regular speaker at conferences on tax matters and has articles regularly published in 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”.

Jennifer Timinis

OCEDA

Maja Ban

Director of MYS Yachting, Croatia

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.

Sophia Tutino

Yacht Charter Expert, Sophia Tutino Yachting Ltd

Jack Robinson

Director, Superyacht Technology

After leaving Furture Publishing Plc Jack spent 8 years at Yachting Pages, eventually becoming Head of Commercial with overall responsibility for all commercial ventures. During his time Yachting Pages grew to 40 staff and received the Queen’s awards for international trade.

A year after leaving Yachting Pages Jack work as consultant to Global View Systems / Net Logic marine R & D who developed products such as the only wireless BNWAS in the world and the Dame nominated Vesselwatch radio platform. He held positions as Global distribution manager and Director of Commercial Development over his 5 year contract.

Working with distributors, shipyards and directly with projects and owners, Jack gained insights into both supply and technical crew. He felt a general misunderstanding of technology was damaging the quality and understanding of technology in the sector.

Three years ago he launched Superyacht Technology News and last year TT events, with one goal, to improve the understanding of Superyacht technology and improve buyers and sellers relations . This has grown to be the largest news Network for technology with over 28,000 regular readers and subscribers

As Editor in Chief Jack engages with all facets of Superyacht technology but most importantly is totally independent and always works for his readers first.

Most recently Jack has launched the SYTC2020 Superyacht Technology Conference & Awards to held at the World Trade Center & W Hotel in Barcelona. Quaynote is proud to be a partner for this revolutionary event.

Roger Horner

E3

Roger founded e3 Systems in 1996 and has developed the company into the leading independent, technology agnostic, mobile communication solutions provider.

Over the last 23 years, e3’s innovation timeline shows a consistently impressive set of launches. The most recent and disruptive is the new eSAT airtime service which when coupled with the Kymeta flat panel satellite antenna provides the first, commercially available, flat panel VSAT and TV ecosystem at a lower cost than conventional systems and with many other advantages.

Over the last year Roger has developed e3 and appointed a family of partners in order to deliver this solution, together with their unique 4G services, as part of their complete HYBRID communications ecosystem globally. Over 15 yachts have now been installed by e3 and are launching into other mobile markets including trains and ferries.

Gary Ward

Jotun/Blockchain enthusiast

Born in East London, Gary Ward has 15 years’ experience in working with both global organizations such as General Electric (GE) as well as SME’s in developing unique strategic business development and retention plans.

With a keen interest in the Superyacht Industry, Gary has recently taken up the challenge within Jotun of developing a unique Superyacht Lifecycle Loyalty service for the worldwide fleet of superyachts, called JotunCARE.

However his other passion has been developing a deep understanding on how new technologies can and will drive enterprise and industry into a new digital era. He has just created a blockchain education website and has recently taken up a position as Non-executive Director at a UK based Cyber Security and Innovation company working with worldwide government organizations.

Sam Slater

CEO, V360

Ian Comish

Riela Yachts

Matthew Cove

Throgmorton

Matthew joined the financial services industry in 1996 and was a founding director of Throgmorton Private Capital. As Managing Director, Matthew supervises the day to day operations of the Company and is a member of the Investment Committee.

Matthew specialises in investment management and tax mitigation and also advises corporate clients especially in the maritime industry, about employee benefits and workplace pensions.

Matthew is married and away from work enjoys golf, skiing and travel.

Joseph Meli

Marketing & Operations, MaritimeMT

A avid diver and maritime enthusiast, Joseph joined the Mediterranean Maritime Research & Training Centre Cooperative in May of 2017 with the responsibility of managing the business development, marketing and operations of what is today MaritimeMT, Malta’s leading Maritime Training Centre.

An experienced TV & Film Producer, skilled in Marketing & Advertising, Joseph is a University of Malta graduate with a BA in Communications and also holds a Master degree in International Documentary and Factual TV Co-Production from University of Central Lancashire, Preston UK.

Joey Meen

PYA

Born in London, with the formatives years as an expat aboard, returning to the UK at the age of 13. Keen on all water sports, including sailing, and by 1992, was part of a sail racing team, participating in national events while running a very busy RYA Sailing School, with a number of sailing yachts and a dedicated team, for over ten years. Having moved to Antibes 13 years ago to work as the Training Manager for Freedom Yachting, before starting her own business “Askjoey”, a Yacht Crew Career & Training Consultancy business, assisting yacht crew with careers in the industry, she also worked part time as deck/stew on a 58’ for 5 years.

Aside from her own business, she wears a number of hats, including being an RYA PW Superyacht inspector, Director of Training and Certification for the PYA, the Chairman of the PYA CPD working group, is the driving force behind the PYA Interior Crew Training and Certification GUEST program and the crew representative at the MCA’s annual Yacht Qualifying Panel.

John Wyborn

Training Director, Bluewater Yachting

Joined the Royal Navy as a seaman officer after university and served on various types of vessel including frigates, destroyers and finally in command of HMS MENTOR; a navigation and seamanship training vessel teaching RN trainees and foreign navies. He co-founded bluewater in 1991 where he has continued in his training role building the largest training provider dedicated to our industry.

He still teaches some deck courses and has an exceptional success rate in oral prep for MCA deck exams.

Caroline Navarro

Yacht Representative, Sealogical Crew

Caroline´s interest in yachting began at the age of 19 when she travelled out to Australia and worked at the Crusing Yacht Club of Australia, the home of the Rolex Sydney to Hobart yacht race. This experience led her to follow a yacht crewing lifestyle for the next 10 years where she developed from a Stewardess into a Yacht Chef.

Having travelled the world extensively as crew and artist, she felt it was now time to focus on the next phase of her career so she followed a Master in Tourism at the University of Malta with papers on Malta as a winter destination for Superyachts, a thesis on Yacht racing as a Tourism product case study the Rolex Middle Sea Race 2012 & a minor paper on Crew on Superyachts.

Shortly after completing her Masters Caroline accepted the position as Sales & Marketing Manager for Camper & Nicholson´s Grand Harbour Marina in Malta. Having been crew in the marina previously Caroline knew what was needed in order to fulfill her position which resulted is an above average occupancy.

After 5 years Caroline realised it was time for her next challenge so she relocated to Palma de Mallorca end of 2018, where she lives and follows a number of activities under her brand Caroline Navarro Yachting. Caroline has been behind the initiation of Sealogical Crew; introducing the Swiss Hotel School internship programs & graduates as quality interior crew on superyachts.

Her experience & reputation in the industry has allowed her to evolve. She looks forward to great career development.