Inspiring Q&A with Cheryl Brown, managing Director of Le Boat
Metstrade and ICOMIA are set to feature a captivating Q&A session with Cheryl Brown, Managing Director of Le Boat.
Le Boat is one of the world’s leading charter boat operators, with a fleet of more than 900 self-drive cruisers spanning nine European countries and Canada. For over 50 years, the company has been opening up rivers, lakes, and canals to travellers of all backgrounds—no licence or prior boating experience required. By breaking down barriers to participation, Le Boat has played a key role in broadening the appeal of marine tourism and drawing new audiences into the sector.
In this Q&A led bij editor in chief Ed Slack from IBI, Cheryl Brown will explore the significant economic value generated by marine tourism and underline the importance of accessible boating experiences for the long-term health and sustainability of the industry.
Her presentation is expected to deliver timely and highly relevant insights for professionals across the global marine sector.
Speakers
Cheryl is the Managing Director for Le Boat,
part of the Marine Division of Travelopia and owned by KKR.
She began her career in travel at just 16, rising quickly through the ranks to become Retail Trading Director in 2001 and Managing Director of the First Choice Retail Group in 2004. In 2007 she joined Sunsail as Managing Director and later became COO for TUI Marine, which included The Moorings, Sunsail, Footloose and Le Boat, in Florida. After four years in the sunshine, Cheryl returned to the UK to lead Le Boat, a role she continues to love with passion. Today, she also sits on the Board of Travelopia.
A passionate boater herself, Cheryl enjoys life on the Thames from her riverside home with her own dock and dayboat. She loves welcoming new customers and watching them grow in confidence on the water, as well as reconnecting with those who return year after year.
With over 55 years of experience, Le Boat has grown into the world’s largest self-drive boating company on inland waterways and rivers. Under Cheryl’s leadership, the business has expanded across the Atlantic, opening two bases and launching 32 boats in Ontario, Canada. She also introduced the Horizon fleet in 2016 and most recently unveiled Liberty in 2025, the company’s most luxurious boat to date. Cheryl’s vision inspired the new creative platform We’re on Le Boat, which celebrates
the boating community and invites newcomers to discover the freedom of the waterways.
Today, Le Boat operates the world’s largest fleet of over 900 self-drive boats across more than 33 departure bases in nine destinations. Its holidays offer everything from action-packed adventures to slow-paced escapes. For those who want to cruise more often, the Le Boat Ownership Programme makes it possible to own a Horizon or Liberty boat with none of the hassle while enjoying up to eight weeks of boating each year across its full network.
She is proud to invite everyone to join the Le Boat community and discover the magic of boating.