Alex Chumillas

Tax Marine & Aviation Spain SL

Gwen Edwards

Partner, CMS UK

Gwen specialises in debt finance and leasing for both corporate and commercial aircraft. She advises financiers, lessors, airlines and owners across a broad range of cross-border aircraft transactions, including portfolio migrations, aircraft acquisitions and disposals, lease and loan financings, sale and leaseback transactions, export credit and PDP facilities. She also has significant experience of distressed debt, restructuring and aircraft repossessions.

Quentin Bargate

Founder & CEO

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 2019 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.

Stefano Inglese Vafiadis

Yacht Designer, Studio Vafiadis

I entered in the yacht industry as a child following my father in the shipyards, I was already designing my first boats then. It was a great satisfaction to see one of these sketches hung on the wall by Mariotti in Genoa.

Passion led me to continue what my father had started.

Marcela de Kern Royer

Principal, ONBOARD Group, Monaco & Genoa Superyacht hub

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, founder of the superyacht industry-forum, a platform to connect all professionals. She is currently developing Genoa Superyacht Hub Moreover, she is a professor at the International University of Monaco and teaching yachting at 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. Marcela speaks fluently six languages, Spanish being her mother tongue, English, French, Italian, Portuguese and German. She has a passion for all things yachting and is known worldwide for being a trusted spoke person for the yachting industry.

Silvia Andriotto

JTC Group

Michala Chatal

Managing Partner, Ultima Collection

Matteo Atti

EVP Marketing & Innovation, VistaJet

James Jaffa

Partner, Jaffa & Co

Marie-Laure Gassier

BNP Paribas

With more than 20-year credit experience, Marie-Laure hold various positions within BNP Paribas both on Wealth Management and on Corporate Banking sides. She has successfully grown the jet financing activity for the bank over the last ten years. She was based successively in Paris, Singapore and Geneva.

BNP Paribas has set up in Switzerland an integrated platform for jets, helicopters and yachts financing where Marie Laure is acting as senior advisor. With a global coverage, the team is dedicated to serving the key clients of Group with a bespoke approach.

Marie-Laure is also an active member of the larger business aviation community, chairing the EBAA-AMAC’s Financers’ subcommittee and is regularly participating as a speaker to business jets and yachts financing conference and other industry events.

BNP Paribas is a global provider of financing solutions to a wide range of clients. The Group has confirmed its leading position in Shipping and Aviation finance with a well recognized expertise and a global footprint.

Michel Buffat

Head Aviation & Yacht Finance, Credit Suisse

Michel Buffat joined Credit Suisse in 2001 after having spent eight years at a blue chip Swiss engineering firm. Michel has held various corporate finance positions before he joined the aircraft and yacht finance team in 2005. There he has been serving the bank’s ultra high net worth clients in various positions, such as sales manager, head of transactions as well as responsible for portfolio and recovery management. Since 2018 Michel is in charge of Credit Suisse’s global aviation and yacht finance business.

Michel is an active member of the wider business aviation community. Until 2018, he was chairing the EBAA AMAC Financier’s Subcommittee. He is regularly participating as speaker in industry events and conferences.

Michel has built up the yacht finance business of Credit Suisse since its relaunch in 2014. He represents the bank in the longstanding partnership with the prestigious Yacht Club de Monaco and has brought it to the next level. Together with the club, he is driving common initiatives such as the Explorer Awards and the SEA Index initiative for Superyachts.

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

Paul Cawley

Director, Indirect Tax, KPMG in the Crown Dependencies

Professional and industry experience
Paul leads our VAT and Customs advisory service lines with a key focus on the yachting and aviation sectors, advising on purchases, disposals, indirect tax compliance, and latterly, Brexit impact on Customs status for yachts and aircraft.

He also advises clients on a range of VAT issues including financial services, e-services and property.

Paul speaks internationally on VAT and Customs matters.

Technical skills

—UK/ IOM VAT

—EU Customs

—UK Customs

Qualifications

—HND Business Management, UCM

—Advanced Diploma in Customs and Supply Chain Security, HMRC

—Advanced Diploma VAT Assurance, HMRC

Bob Atkinson

Partner, B Capital Partners

Bob has been responsible for sourcing and arranging finance for buyers & owners of Business Jets and Yachts since 2013 with B Capital based in London. Dealing with owners from all corners of the globe and concluding transactions with a wide range of banks and funders internationally having gained considerable experience and expertise across a broad range of jurisdictions.

B Capital is also a multi-family office & investment management business based in Geneva & Malta.

Prior to this Bob established the team financing aircraft and yachts within Barclays in 2003 and was heavily involved in transactions covering the UK, EMEA & Asia markets, working in the Corporate Bank and Barclays Wealth (Private Bank) to deliver solutions.

Previously always involved in financing assets; leading complex transactions working with Barclays Capital clients and providing debt, tax based leasing and Operating Lease solutions with an International Joint Venture partner.  

Previously headed the asset finance business in central London financing major expenditure for a wide range of UK based companies and Partnerships.

Joseph Adir

Founder & CEO, WinTech Marine Intelligence

Vinna Tsang

Founder and Director, The V Executive Search Company Limited

A seasoned Business Executive with over 18 years’ experience gained from reputable companies across various industries, including consumer banking, recruitment and business aviation. Currently a Founder and Director at The V Executive Search which is specialized in recruiting for the business aviation sector in Asia. Skilled in Talent Acquisition & Management, Training and Coaching, Strategic Planning, Business Development, Sales & Marketing, and General Management.     

Dominic Bulfin

Director, Bargate Murray

Dom is a Director in the Firm’s superyacht group based in London. Dom advises owners and their representatives on all aspects of superyacht ownership and management, including the negotiation of new build and refit contracts, interior design contracts, contracts for the purchase of toys, tenders and lifeboats, sale and purchase agreements and sale and charter agency agreements, as well as matters relating to the employment of crew members and operational staff.

Dom is often called upon to offer real-time support for Captains and yacht managers as matters requiring immediate attention arise onboard.

A life-long sailor himself, Dom has a practical understanding of the reality of life on the water and is able to apply his personal experience as both an owner and a charterer to offer clients practical, pragmatic, and realistic advice.

Dom has been involved in projects ranging from the complex modification and repurposing of older vessels, to the design and construction of some of the largest new-builds in the superyacht fleet.

Having started his career at Clyde & Co, Dom’s prior experience also covers the commercial shipping and commodities sectors, having represented international commodity trading houses, banks and corporates – experience which Dom is able to draw upon in his superyacht practice.

With an undergraduate degree in Conservation Biology and Ecology, Dom has a keen interest in the preservation of marine ecosystems and sustainable use of the World’s waters for recreational purposes. This passion also spills into day-to-day life at Bargate Murray where Dom has championed a number of “green” initiatives to help reduce the Firm’s impact on the environment.

When he is not in the office, Dom can often be found sailing on the south coast of England or enjoying the warmer climes of the Mediterranean and Caribbean seas.

Roger Horner

CEO, E3

Roger is Group Managing Director of e3 Systems, S.L.  He has started a number of successful technology businesses from the ground up ranging from a UK based software house to a global maritime communications group of companies.  He has a strong focus on innovation, having been the first to introduce a number of new products and services into his markets. Some notable innovations in yachting include the first VSAT service, the first Med wide GSM service and latterly the first roaming free 3G/4G service, the first tender tracking system, the first Kymeta flat panel VSAT solution, the first Inmarsat Fleet Xpress system with a number of new introductions in the offing.  He is also a developer of vibrant, recognised brands and is assisted by a motivated, loyal and passionate team who combine their expertise and support to deliver all these quality products and services.

Jeffrey C. Lowe

Chief Executive Officer, Asian Sky Group / Asian Sky Media

Jeffrey has almost 40 years of Engineering, Marketing and Sales experience in commercial and business aviation. His most recent position is as Chief Executive Officer for Asian Sky Group Ltd. & Asian Sky Media Ltd. in Hong Kong. Asian Sky Group is the largest business aviation consulting group in the Asia-Pacific region with 20 employees & 6 offices. Asian Sky Media is a four-time, award winning media company that assist clients with brand development and positioning, in the Asia-Pacific, plus publishes a dozen industry-leading reports on the business jet, helicopter, and charter fleets in Asia-Pacific, as well as reports on general aviation, infrastructure and training schools across the region.

Paul Jebely

Managing Partner, Pillsbury, Winthrop, Shaw, Pittman Law

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.

Alexandra Asche

European Sales Director, Global Jet Capital

Alexandra Asche works as Sales Director for Europe at Global Jet Capital in Zurich/Switzerland. She has more than 10 years’ experience in corporate finance at large European corporate banks and was working e.g. in Germany, the Netherlands and the UK. She spent the longest time of her career in shipping finance after turning to business jet leasing in 2018. Alexandra holds an MBA from University of Bedfordshire, a Bachelor of Science and a Ship Finance Manager from the Frankfurt School of Finance.

Daniel Hall

Senior Valuation Consultant, ISTAT Certified Appraiser, ASA Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA), Ascend by Cirium

Daniel is certified as both an Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) with the American Society of Appraisers and an Accredited Appraiser with the International Society for Transport Aircraft Trading (ISTAT). Based in Ascend by Cirium’s New York office, he has a comprehensive knowledge of the Commercial and Business Aviation sectors. His involvements include analysis of values, market insight & commentary, business development, and consultancy advisory. Daniel frequently works on Commercial & Business Aircraft Market Values and Appraisals, to both an ISTAT and ASA-compliant standard. Daniel specialises in the Business Aviation sector actively tracking Market Values and financing for over 50 Business Jet type families / 100 variants. His client interaction ranges with those representing banks, financiers, investors, airlines, lessors, and includes industry conference speaking.

Jared Hasty

Director of Sales, Ogara Jets

Jared is the Director of Sales & Key Accounts for OGARAJETS. He is passionate about helping clients make the most informed decisions with confidence. Jared draws from a wealth of knowledge and experience in the aviation industry, including aircraft management, operations, business development, flying professionally and sales. He received his BS in Aviation Management from Auburn University, his MBA from Georgia Institute of Technology with an emphasis in Global Business and is an ATP rated pilot. When he’s not talking aviation, Jared enjoys spending time with his wife and children, playing in the mountains, flying and live music.

Gary Dolski

Chief Executive Officer, MetroJet Ltd

Renee Goodwin

Marketing Manager, Grenada Tourism Authority

Renée S.C. Goodwin has been working in the tourism industry for almost a decade- even she can’t believe it!  Born in Barbados, but raised in Grenada (with a few other places, including the Bahamas and Micronesia in between), Renee is truly a citizen of the world, but her home and heart are in Grenada. 

Renée attended Jacksonville University in Florida, majoring in Communications, and continued her studies at the University of Florida, earning an MA in International Communications with an African Studies minor.  She is currently the Acting Marketing Manager at the Grenada Tourism Authority, and loves being able to positively impact the tourism industry in Grenada through the work she and the GTA team do both locally and overseas.  Being able to flex creative muscle through campaigns, marketing, and advertising is a huge plus for her as well.  

Renée is an avid animal and nature lover and her favourite things in the world are the beach, laughing with friends, exploring new places (both at home and abroad), and reading. 

Renee has great admiration for women who are independent and make a mark in the world and aspires to do her best to impact the world positively.

Ayanna Sylvester

Marketing Admin Assistant, Grenada Tourism Authority

Ayanna Sylvester is an Administrative Assistant with more than 3 years’ experience working in the Marketing department at the Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA). She has been in the tourism industry for nearly 9 years working in the hospitality sector before commencing her exciting career at the GTA, marketing the lovely destination of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. Ayanna has been involved in many nautical activities since commencing work at the GTA, attending various prestigious sports fishing, dive, and sailing events annually.

Ayanna is a graduate of the St. George’s University (SGU) Grenada with a BSc. in Tourism and Hospitality Management magna cum laude distinction. She is keen on learning new things and experiences both in and out of the work environment. She enjoys the thrill of adventure, nature walks, long soaks on beaches, and travelling to new and acquainted destinations.

Nikoyan Roberts

Manager, Nautical Development, Grenada Tourism Authority

Jacqueline Sharon Nikoyan Roberts nee Radix was born in Jamaica on March 4^th, 1964 and completed primary, secondary and college level education in Grenada from 1969 to 1979.  She completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography & English Literature at the University of Miami, Florida from 1981 to 1985 and returned to Grenada in 1986 as Project Administrator with U.S. based non-profit organization Project HOPE.  Nikoyan worked in the aviation transportation industry holding supervisory roles at American Airlines in Grenada and St. Lucia from 1990 to 2000.  She completed two post-graduate degrees, a Master of Science in Tourism & Hospitality Management at the University of the West Indies, Jamaica in 2001 and an MBA in International Business at St. George’s University, Grenada in 2016.  Her MSc thesis analysed “Impacts on Airlift Capacity and Tourism Activities caused by withdrawal of American Airlines Service to Grenada and St. Lucia (2001).”  In 2005 an article she co-authored, “A Strategic Approach to Enhancing the Viability of Caribbean Airlines: Case Studies on Air Jamaica, BWIA, and LIAT” was published in “Caribbean Tourism: Visions, Missions and Challenges”. 

Nikoyan qualified as a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver in September 2018.  Her service life includes representing the Grenada Tourism Authority on the Investment Development Corporation Business Grant Selection Committee; and the National Marine Protected Areas Management Committee (2020) and the Local Organizing Committee for Visit of Their Royal Highnesses Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall (2019).  She was Core Planning Team Leader for the Institute for Further Education 40^th Anniversary Reunion and Coordinator of the Inaugural George I. Brizan Memorial Scholarship Awards (2019 to 2021); Local Organizing Committee Accreditation Team-member CARIFTA Games (2016); Head Rapporteur, OECS 2^nd Council of Tourism Ministers (2015); Technical Officer, OAS Inter-American Congress of Tourism Ministers (2014); Board Director, Grenada Planned Parenthood Association (2012 to 2013); President of the Parish Council, Our Lady of the Rosary RC Church, Roxborough, Grenada; and Chairman, Board of Directors, Grenada Board of Tourism (2006 to 2007).  Mrs. Roberts is a Justice of the Peace from 2008 to Present and is the Manager, Nautical Development at the Grenada Tourism Authority from January 2014 where she is responsible for policy, strategy, business development and promotion of the yachting, cruise, sports-fishing and scuba-diving tourism subsectors with public and private sector teams.  Her strengths include Strategic Planning, Public Speaking, Research, Events Management, Leadership and Service Excellence.

Charlotte Fairhead

Marina Manager, Camper & Nicholson Port Louis Superyacht Marina

Hannah Budhlall

Sales & Marketing Manager

Francine Stewart

Director, Sales & Marketing, Silversands Grenada

Gabriela Kozub

FBO Manager, IAM Private Jet Center Grenada

Deleon Forrester

Public Relations Manager