Jonathan Beckett

Chief Executive, Burgess

Martin Baum

Managing Director, Pantaenius

Martin Baum is the Managing Director of the Pantaenius Yacht Group, a position which he has held since 2006. In the traditional family-run company with twelve subsidiaries and its Hamburg headquarters, he is Chairman of the Board of Directors and has specific responsibility for global sales and developments of upcoming markets as well as the overall yacht group’ strategy. As an enthusiastic and talented yachtsman since his childhood, he has participated in many long distance races including a transatlantic crossing and has extensive experience in cruising all around the world.

Dawit Lemma

Chief Executive Officer, Krimson

Dawit Lemma is the Founder and CEO of Krimson Aviation – an aviation support services company based in Ethiopia and Switzerland since 2015. He is a Swiss citizen, but of Ethiopian origin, and has lived and/or worked all over the world; from Zambia to Afghanistan, the USA to Switzerland – making him a true global citizen. Dawit returned to Ethiopia in 2012, after almost 30 years abroad, as he recognized the thriving potential and opportunities being displayed by Ethiopia’s economic resurgence.

He is a graduate of Purdue University in the USA, where he received a degree in Aeronautical Engineering & Flight Technology. In addition, he received an MSc. degree in Aviation Management & Marketing from the Basel Business College in Switzerland. Dawit also holds an Airframe & Power- plant Mechanic’s License (American FAA), Commercial Pilot’s License (American FAA, South African CAA, Swiss FOCA/EASA), and an EASA Frozen ATPL. He has over 20 years of experience in the aviation sector across 4 continents, with a cache of notable experience garnered at leading companies from around the world, including TAG Aviation, Emirates Airlines, MAF, and Ethiopian Airlines, to name a few.

For the past few years, Dawit has been advocating and promoting the growth of Business and General Aviation in Africa. Dawit served on the Executive Committee of the African Business Aviation Association (AfBAA) as Director of Membership and Events, and currently serves as a Board Member of the AfBAA  and the President of the AfBAA Ethiopia Chapter.

Dawit’s commitment to excellence and achievement has lead to Krimson’s rapid growth and sound reputation. Krimson’s mantra of Achievement through Quality & Integrity of Service serves as more than just a philosophy but a lifestyle and deep-rooted value that Dawit has applied throughout his education and professional career.

Joseph Adir

Founder & CEO, WinTech Marine Intelligence Ltd

Maddy Zadnikar

CEO, Seanet

Kenny Jones

EVP of Global Operations, Island Global Yachting Ltd.

Kenny Jones is currently contracted to oversee the IGY’s group day to day operations. Prior to this, he was the Operations Director for one of the largest Marina operators in Europe (19 Facilities).  Kenny is responsible for the group’s entire portfolio (19 Facilities in 11 countries), upland, boat yards and marinas financial performance as well as advising on future business developments.  To date, Kenny has managed over 30 marina facilities in 18 different countries and cultures.  Kenny also served in the British Army as the Senior Marine Operations Officer and advisor on marine operations worldwide to a network of over 300 specialist servicemen. During his service in the British army, he was awarded the Member of the British Empire (MBE) and other decorations.

Ann Fenech

Fenech & Fenech Advocates

Ann Fenech is the Managing Partner of Fenech & Fenech Advocates – Malta.  She qualified in 1986 and joined Holman Fenwick and Willan in London. In 1991 she moved from there to Chaffe, McCall, Phillips Toler and Sarpy in New Orleans.  In 1992 she joined Fenech & Fenech Advocates setting up the Marine Litigation Department. She was appointed Managing Partner in June 2008.

She has extensive experience in disputes ranging from ship building contracts to immediate casualty response in collisions having acted and advised some of the most important international maritime operators.

She has been responsible for the drafting of a number of laws related to the maritime sector including the Pilotage Regulations and the sections on Jurisdiction in Rem in the

Code of Organisation and Civil Procedure.  She lectures extensively on the subject in Malta and abroad; she is the President of the Malta Maritime Law Association.

In October 2010 she was appointed Executive Board Member of the European Maritime Law Organisation. In 2012, 2014 and 2015 she was awarded Best in Shipping Law at the European Women in Business Awards held in London.  In October 2013 she was appointed Honorary Patron of the Malta Law Academy and in June 2014 was elected on the Executive Council of the Comite Maritime International. In October 2015 she was appointed on the Malta Maritime Forum Board of Directors and in April 2016 she was also appointed to represent the Malta Maritime Law Association on the board of the government agency Malta Marittima. In September 2017 she was elected to serve a second term on the Executive Council of the Comite Maritime International and in November 2018 she was elected Vice-President of the CMI.  She is currently the CMI co-ordinator in Working Group V1 of UNCITRAL currently debating a draft convention on the Effects of Judicial Sales.

Christine Cassar Naudi

Partner, 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.

Gunes Aysun

Galeo Yachting

Onur has started his career working in a commercial 256-meter vessel as third officer. He completed his military service as second lieutenant. He then started working in the marina sector as dock master at Port Göcek Marina in 1999. He worked as berth master, senior berth master, front office chief, front office manager, boatyard and front office manager respectively. He was appointed as Marina Manager after Port Göcek Marina was owned by Doğuş Group in December 2010. 

Apart from marina management duties of D-Marin Göcek, Onur also started working as Operations Director of D-Marin marinas in Turkey since February 2018. He is responsible for overall business performance and sustainability of D-Marin marinas in Turkey including; marinas operations, budgeting, staff trainings, customer relationships, investments decided by BOD, improvement of the business and service quality of the marinas, new ideas and business development opportunities offerings to management. 

Onur is passionate about the sea and the environment. He has a Diving Licence, Class III Master Captain Licence, IRC Measurer Licence. He is currently the vice president of Chamber of Shipping Fethiye Branch. He is the local representative of Cruising Association, Swedish Crusing Club and Kreuzer- Abteilung. He is the vicecomodore of Göcek Yacht Club, President of Göcek Culture and Tourism Assocation.

Onur graduated from Fishery Faculties at Ege University in İzmir. He lives in Göcek with his beautiful twins.

Craig Barnett

Triton

Henry Cookson

Cookson Adventures

Since achieving a world record for kite-skiing to the Antarctic Pole of Inaccessibility, Henry has continued to set new benchmarks. Founded in 2009, his company Cookson Adventures crafts adventures worthy of class-leading yachts in some of the least charted waters on the planet, including Antarctica, Cocos Island, Micronesia and Svalbard.

Designed for both owners and charterers, his world-first yacht expeditions have helped scientists identify a new type of killer whale, organised the first private submersible dive in Antarctica and launched multi-yacht conservation projects in the Galápagos Islands. Today, Henry still personally hosts and curates many of the adventures himself.

Pandora Mather-Lees

ArtOnSuperyachts.com

An Art Historian and Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Pandora’s career includes over 20 years at Board level in the cultural sector, focusing on business strategy, marketing and development.

As VP, Global Sales at Artnet, Pandora worked extensively with galleries and auction houses in New York, Paris and London enabling them to promote their works online. As MD of Bridgeman Art Library, she brought the world’s great art collections to the commercial market for the benefit of publishers, print and digital media, educational institutions and for major licensing projects.   She has worked closely with artists, galleries, private collectors, museums and auctions houses to manage copyright, licensing and collaborative art projects. Having worked closely with artists for many years placing their works as part of a digital asset management system. Her expertise includes creating taxonomies and classifications of art together with various artistic themes for designers and publishers of high end fine art prints. Pandora has a cultural network of carefully developed resources in the arts including specialist experts, consultants in valuations, insurance, financing, art loans, technical analysis, logistics, photography, conservation, cleaning and framing.

Widely travelled in the museum world globally, she has also studied in France, Germany and Italy. Pandora’s areas of interest are classical Greek & Roman art, 18th century neoclassicism in décor, early 20th century Abstraction, Expressionism and the Surrealists.

Pandora holds a first-class degree in the History of Art from Manchester University and an MSt. in Ancient History from Keble College, Oxford and is a member of the Association of Art Historians, The Worshipful Company of Arts Scholars and a Fellow of the RSA.

Michael Burle

Head of Marine & Fine Art, Liberty Global Group, UK

Michael Burle, Head of Marine at Liberty Specialty Markets

Michael.Burle@LibertyGlobalGroup.com 

Michael is Head of Marine at Liberty Specialty Markets (LSM).  He has over 27 years’ experience as an underwriter in Marine, Fine Art & Specie and War & Terrorism insurance. Based in London, he is responsible for managing a global portfolio, supported by an international team of market-leading specialist underwriters accustomed to dealing with high value and often sensitive risks. The team takes pride in providing tailored coverage and quality service to a sophisticated and discerning clientele.  

LSM is a long-standing underwriter of Marine business with a global portfolio of risks across a broad section of industry.  

LSM underwrites a global portfolio of Fine Art and Specie business for a diverse range of clients from local jewellery retailers and regional armoured car operators through to world-famous museums and the vaults of multi-national banks.

The risk of terrorist attacks, hijackings, sabotage, war and political instability continues to grow across the globe.  LSM War and Terrorism risks are underwritten through Lloyd’s of London and through our global distribution network of offices.

Tilman Kriesel

Art Advisor, TKA Art Advisors, Yacht Art Management, Germany

Due to his family background (Sprengel Museum Hannover), Tilman Kriesel became passionately involved in countless engagements in the art world at an early age. As a trained architect and project developer, he was increasingly sought out for his attitude in the art world. Today he manages art-properties and artcollections and shares his passion with the familiar.

Tilman Kriesel Art Advisors GmbH (TKA) is an independent advisor within the international art world. Due to Tilman’s experience and exclusive network, TKA is able to fulfil even outstanding individual expectations. His business operations include also Art Finance, Art Software, Art Estates, Art Buildings and Yacht Art Management.

Yacht Art Management (YAM) is the only full-service partner in order to ensure the highest level of arthandling quality on board. Founded in 2016, by Tilman Kriesel (architect and art expert) and Astor Milan Salcedo (artist and interior expert) in Hamburg/ Germany, YAM and its qualified partners are able to master all challenges related to art on superyachts, from ‘nail to nail’.

His team draws on several years of professional expertise in the mega yacht sector.

Anthony Galea

Managing Director – Marine & Aviation, Vistra

Victoria Stupina

Founder, Art- Counsel

Alexander von Stein

Special Agent, Marshall Islands Shipping Registry

Marc Verburg

Deputy Commissioner Maritime Affairs, Republic of the Marshall Islands

Marc Verburg joined the Roosendaal office (Netherlands) of IRI in November 2007 as Flag State Inspector, with over a decade of maritime and supervisory experience. He was promoted to Safety & Technical Manager in late 2009 and in January 2013 was promoted to Fleet Operations Manager, Yachts. Mr. Verburg is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of yachts from a technical and marine safety perspective, including those yachts under construction and undergoing a re-fit.

Before joining IRI, Mr. Verburg worked with Amels Yacht Building as a Project Leader on newbuild projects. For over ten years prior, Mr. Verburg served as an Engineer with Holland America Line. Initially a Cadet Engineer, Mr. Verburg quickly assumed responsibilities of supervising a newbuild as 3rd Engineer. Mr. Verburg last served as Senior Second Engineer/First Engineer where his duties included managing the engine room, technical installation and coordinating the ship’s crew. He obtained his licenses as Chief Engineer Small Commercial Vessels and Engineer Seagoing Commercial Vessels from Middle Maritime School and his Chief Engineer Sea Going Commercial Vessels license from Higher Maritime University in Vlissingen (The Netherlands).

Jessica Galea

Dingli & Dingli Law Firm abo Superyacht Industry Network Malta

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 Masters Degree in international maritime law at the IMO’s IMLI, and graduated with distinction 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 under numerous jurisdictions, assistance from a legal perspective with the establishment of yacht leasing structures including finance and operating leases, yacht importation procedures, yacht sale and purchase, mortgage registration and yacht finance; setting up of shipping organisations and advice on various 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 Super Yacht Industry Network Malta and shiparrested.com, of which networks Dingli & Dingli Law Firm is a member.

Fiorenzo Spadoni

Director, EMEA Marine Commercial, RINA UK

Fiorenzo Spadoni holds the current position of UK Marine Commercial Director and EMEA-ASIA-AMERICA yachting commercial coordinator for RINA Services.

He graduated in mechanical engineering from the University of Genova in 2001.

He joined RINA in 2005 and till 2012 strengthened his experience in the marine sector as a surveyor in Turkey, Netherlands and France.

From 2012 to 2017, based in Genoa, he has been in charge of the yachting sector taking care of the Italian operational network and all commercial activities relevant to mega yachts and recreational crafts. He has been responsible for the developing of new services with special commitment in environmental and sustainability field.

From 2018 he has been managing the commercial activity in UK and Ireland for the marine sector with special focus on the cruise market. He retains the position of worldwide yachting coordinator leading global projects, innovative services and digital solutions for RINA clients.

Phil Noad

Regional Director, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Cayman Registry

Andrew Fitzmaurice

CEO, Templar Executives

Daniel Taylor

Taylor Hampton Solicitors

Mike Willis

Co-founder, CSS Platinum

Janet Xanthopolous

Head of Yacht and Jet Department, Rosemont International / Rosemont Yacht Services

Janet has an international background and graduated at University of Aix-Marseille III.  She has Masters in International/European and Maritime Law.

Since 2001 Janet has gained significant working experience in the yachting sector in Europe and recently in Asia and headed up the yacht departments of two other Luxembourg and Monaco based companies. Her extensive legal, fiscal and commercial experience is further strengthened with a practical background in the yacht sector ensuring the delivery of a dedicated range of services to the most exacting standards.

As head of the Marine & Aviation Division, Janet leads a team of professional and highly experienced people who can assist owners and brokers during all the ownership process starting from the purchase or construction up to the sale by considering also their structuring, legal, tax, financing, registration, insurance, crewing and day to day administration needs.

Jean-Philippe Maslin

Del Viso Avocats

Socio / Partner, Albors Galiano Portales

Miguel Angel Serra

Miguel Angel Serra is partner at Albors Galiano Portales, leading Spanish firm in Maritime and Aviation Law, as well as legal&tax advisor of ANEN (Spanish Nautical Business Association).

He is lawyer, economist, master’s degree in Tax Law, master’s degree in Urban and Town Planning Law, and also official real estate agent (API).

He is lecturer at the Balearic Islands University (UIB) and lecturer in the Master’s Degree in Tax System (UIB).

He has a vast experience in leading projects and advising private and business clients in the fields of yachting, aviation and real estate transactions.

Alison Vassallo

Partner, Fenech & Fenech

Alison Vassallo is a Partner of Fenech and Fenech Advocates in Malta and heads the Yachting Department. She also works within the Marine Litigation Department.

She qualified as a lawyer in 2004 with a Doctorate of Laws from the University of Malta and proceeded to obtain her Masters Degree in International Maritime Law from the International Maritime Law Institute (IMO) in 2005.

She joined Fenech and Fenech Advocates in 2006.  For the past 10 years she has been heavily involved in advising and co-ordinating projects for owners and financiers relating to the acquisition and sale of both private yacht and commercial yachts with regard to registration, financing, chartering, yacht leasing and fiscal requirements and solutions. Furthermore, her areas of practice within the firm embrace all aspects of maritime law including EU shipping law, recognition and enforcement of foreign judgements and arbitral awards, ship arrest and other precautionary measures for obtainment of security and co-ordination of tender procedures involving a maritime element.

Alison Vassallo is the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Yachting Trade Section within the Chamber of Commerce, a Director of Malta Marittima Agency, Executive Member and Secretary of the Malta Superyacht Industry Network, a Member of the Chamber of Advocates, a Committee Member of the Malta Maritime Law Association (MMLA) and a Board Member of the yachting sub-committee formed within the MMLA.

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 La Spezia.

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 fiscal and Customs 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 cooperates with CONFINDUSTRIA NAUTICA, the Italian National Association of Shipyard.

Jennifer Timinis

OCEDA

Jennifer Timinis has been working with UHNWIs for most of her professional life. She qualified as a UK solicitor in 2005 and worked for TLT and Hill Dickinson for over 10 years specialising in superyacht transactions. In her current position at OCEDA, she advises owners and their advisers on all tax, legal and operational issues arising from cruising and homeporting in Greece. She is one of the driving forces behind Oceda and has been actively involved in building a strong team of experienced, innovative and dynamic team offering management, agency and brokerage services bringing a fresh approach to the local yachting industry.

Quentin Bargate

Founder & CEO, Bargate Murray

Quentin Bargate qualified as a solicitor in 1981 and has since spent his entire career in top City of London law firms, including running his own highly regarded firm, Bargate Murray, where he is head of the firm’s Superyacht and Dispute Resolution Groups as well as being the firm’s CEO.  Client sources comment on the “huge amount of litigation experience” that Quentin has, adding that he is “very well connected” and “knows his stuff.” A satisfied client appreciates that “he does the work from the beginning to the end, providing a full and complete service,” and the source adds: “His advice is always helpful and he is very practical.” (Source: Chambers HNW Guide 2019)

Quentin says: “In 2004, I fulfilled a lifetime ambition when I set up my own law firm, Quentin Bargate & Co. (renamed Bargate Murray in 2006).  We incorporated in 2013.  I had been a partner in Simmons & Simmons and Head of its International Trade and Shipping Group and a member of the Litigation Department and Arbitration Groups where I developed specialist skills in superyacht contracts and disputes as well as commercial shipping and trade.  Bargate Murray was a new challenge – to take all that knowledge I had gained over 14 years from a big City of London international practice, and offer it to clients who wanted a nimbler, more responsive service from a specialist firm.”

Bargate Murray is highly ranked in the Chambers HNW 2020 Guide for ‘Yachts & Superyachts’, and the Guide recognises Quentin as a Leading Individual for his expertise in this practice.

Quentin is an advocate for alternative dispute resolution (ADR), but he also deals with cases in court when required. He occasionally sits as an arbitrator.

Quentin is a member of the Baltic Exchange, the Maritime Authority of the Cayman Islands yacht committee. He holds a Master’s degree in Marine law, is a member of the LMAA, a Member of the Nautical Institute, a member of the IOD, a member of the Royal Thames Yacht Club, and a Freeman of the City of London.

His other interests include photography (Elsevier has published a technical book on stock photography “Microstock Photography” written by Quentin under his pen name Douglas Freer), music and his family.

Andrew Charlier

Partner, HFW

Bio unavailable.

Maya 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.