Date: Tuesday 18 November
Location: Entrance F, Restaurant Harbour 8
Time: 08.00 – 09.30 (breakfast at 08.00)
 Metstrade and ICOMIA are delighted to announce that Cheryl Brown, Managing Director for Le Boat, will be this year's Metstrade Official Opening keynote speaker.
In her opening address, 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.
Cheryl Brown commented: “I am very proud to be speaking at this year’s Metstrade Opening Session. Having worked in the travel industry for more than 30 years, and the marine travel sector for more than 20 years, I am deeply passionate about the growth, development and success of the leisure marine industry, I am looking forward to sharing my insights.
Following the keynote, the briefing will continue with the official awards ceremony of the DAME Design Awards 2025, the pinnacle of design excellence in the industry.
Please note that this event is for exhibitors, press, members of the Young Professionals Club, and VIP-guests only.

Moderator: Katelijn Wilhelmy, Cheryl Brown, Niels Klarenbeek, Frank  Hugelmeyer

Metstrade Official Opening and DAME Design Awards

Corporate Communication manager

Ollie has over 15 years experience working with leading brands in the marine industry, specialising in the development of products that minimize environmental impact.
A sustainability strategist, LCA practitioner, and impact-oriented problem solver, Ollie’s journey in marine innovation is driven by a passion for challenging the status quo and uncovering solutions that truly reduce the marine industries impact.
Since 2022, Ollie has led the MarineShift360 project, delivering lifecycle assessments across a wide spectrum of marine products, offering clients insights that translate into real-world, low-impact solutions.
Ollie founded Marine Futures in 2024 to make a measurable difference in the marine industry, uniting his comprehensive understanding of product development with a commitment to sustainable progress.

Director

Alasdair Reay is the CEO of HPI Verification Services Ltd., a notified body appointed by the European Commission to certify under the Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) & Pressure Equipment Directive (PED). The company has been recording boat compliance details in their own 'CEproof' software for thirty years. This represents a treasure trove of data for mining by anyone who has need of it.
Reay, a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects in UK, began his career with Lloyds Register and after a brief spell with ABS, moved into small craft compliance. Reay is the author of the award-winning CEproof software, sits on numerous ISO and ABYC standards committees.

Andrea Tetto – Director, Marine Business Planning, Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit Driving Yamaha’s strategic marine operations, with expertise in market intelligence and operational resilience.

Director Marine Planning

Thins 30 years extrem sailor, thins 2003 IMOCA Open60 Skipper, two times Vendee Globe, several more extrem sailing projects and thins 2009 company owner to develop composite materials which are fully sustainable and recyclabel.

JEC Group is a non-profit organization entirely dedicated to promoting composite materials and fostering their applications globally.
Publisher of the JEC Composites Magazine, the industry’s reference magazine, JEC organizes several events around the world, including JEC World, the leading international exhibition dedicated to composites and their applications, which takes place annually in Paris. JEC media, events and digital channels connect a global community of professionals from the composites industry and beyond, to enable knowledge transfer, create networking opportunities, and highlight innovation.

President

Peter Wallbank is the Co-Founder and Technical Director of August Race Group, a UK-based manufacturer of premium marine surface-care and protection systems established in 2013. With nearly three decades of experience in the chemical industry, he specialises in bespoke formulation development for high-performance and environmentally responsible cleaning technologies.
Peter is an active Member of the Nautical Institute and serves on the ICOMIA Sustainability Committee, contributing to international dialogue on sustainable product standards and responsible practices within the global leisure marine sector.

Co Founder and Group Technical Director

Amy has worked in Sustainability in Sport with a primary focus on the sailing industry. Having had both inhouse and consultancy roles including being a driving force in the IMOCA Class LCA project as part of 11th Hour Racing Team. She is now focussed on her work as part of consultancy Foxall Munro, a transatlantic team who advocate for bold visions of the future and the paradigm shifts that are needed to get there. They are solution-oriented, and action-driven co-creators who use cultural levers and human togetherness to create positive impact.

Director, Foxall Munro & Sustainability Commission Advisor, World Sailing

Nick Bigeau’s hands-on experience from over 18 years of boatbuilding and aerospace gives him a unique perspective as founder and CTO for the Canadian cleantech startup Resolve Composites. Having a deep passion for the understanding of materials and their use, Nick has acquired an extensive knowledge of end-of-life reuse possibilities with innovative resins and recycling technologies. This material exploration has led him to invent a novel recycling method for composite materials (ReceTT). In a cross-industry collaboration with Siemens Gamesa, Resolve Composites were able to downstream material from wind turbine blade to boat, validating the potential of their ReceTT technology.

Founder and CTO

Kevin M. Williams is a dynamic leader in the recreational boating industry, driving innovative B2B and B2C marketing strategies as the Vice President of North American Marketing for the National Marine Manufacturers Association and the Discover Boating consumer brand across the U.S. and Canada. He leads the development of cutting-edge, data-driven campaigns that meet the evolving needs of both consumers and businesses. Kevin plays a pivotal role in expanding the boating sector by empowering association members and forging deeper emotional connections with traditional, next-generation, and diverse consumer segments, all while promoting the vibrant boating lifestyle.
A passionate advocate for inclusivity, Kevin also serves as a board member for Together Outdoors, where he champions efforts to make recreational activities more welcoming to all communities.
Before joining NMMA, Kevin was the Head of Multicultural Marketing and Diversity & Inclusion for BMW of North America, LLC., where he spearheaded campaigns for BMW, MINI Cooper, and BMW Motorrad, while leading diversity initiatives that advanced the company’s supplier diversity and HR strategies. His earlier experience as Executive Vice President at Matlock Advertising & PR saw him elevate BMW’s multicultural marketing efforts and play a key role in securing and managing the MINI USA account.
Kevin's expertise in cultural marketing also includes his tenure at GlobalHue, the largest multicultural agency in the U.S. at the time, where he crafted impactful strategies for clients like Bermuda Tourism and secured a $30 million investment from Verizon Wireless to launch the “How Sweet the Sound” gospel music tour.
Rooted in a lifelong fascination with brand strategy, Kevin’s career began after earning a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Illinois, Champaign. His early roles at Eastern Airlines and Coca-Cola, where he helped brand Olympic Games properties, laid the foundation for his future marketing leadership.

Vice President, North American Marketing

“There is nothing, absolutely nothing, half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.” Ratty’s words from The Wind in the Willows capture the heartbeat of our next panelist. Growing up on the water, he turned a childhood spent exploring marinas in a jon boat into a lifelong passion, some might say an obsession, for everything marine. After launching into a successful career in real estate and entrepreneurship, he followed a mid-life epiphany and transformed those skills into a dream career in the Marine Industry spanning nearly 30 years. When he’s not studying the lines of yachts or walking the docks, he’s an adventure seeker, world traveler, and devoted father navigating the joyful chaos of raising two children.

Head of Industry Sales and Partnerships

Founder

Luigi is senior project manager in the Ships department (Division Yachts) at MARIN. He graduated with a MSC Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from University Federico II of Naples (Italy) in 2012, and has been working in the Netherlands at MARIN since 2013 as a project manager concerning powering and seakeeping aspects (involving design advice, hull form optimization, performance predictions with CFD and/or model testing). Luigi has a deep interest into the ship design from a multidisciplinary point of view and into the possibilities of continuous integration of innovations in the ship design itself. Most of the free time is still spent in the water with watersports such as kitesurf, kitefoiling and sailing.

Senior Project Manager

Gerben is co-founder and director at Flying Fish. He graduated on aircraft control & simulation at the faculty of Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology. He started his career in hydrofoils as chief engineer of the TU Delft Solar Boat team back in 2013. In 2018 he co-founded Flying Fish: a Dutch company that specializes in hydrofoil design, control and simulation of hydrofoil craft and advanced planning systems for fleets of fast vessels.'

Co-Founder

Fabrizio Marabini is an aerospace engineer with more than thirty years of experience in performance technology and high-level sailing projects. After graduating from Politecnico di Milano, he began his career in aeronautics and later joined several America’s Cup teams, including Il Moro di Venezia, Prada Challenge, Mascalzone Latino, Artemis Racing, Emirates Team New Zealand, and Luna Rossa Challenge. Over the years, his work has focused on performance analysis, load monitoring, software development and onboard electronics, following the evolution of sailing from conventional yachts to modern foiling boats.
In 2011 he co-founded FaRo Advanced Systems, a company specialized in instrumentation and control systems for racing sailboats. With the growing relevance of foiling, FaRo has extended its work to both sailing and motor applications, developing integrated mechatronic systems spanning from sensors engineering to data acquisition, from PLC programming to automatic control.
Fabrizio’s experience lies at the intersection of engineering and competition, where innovation is driven by practical needs and constant testing. His perspective connects the technological advances achieved in top-level racing with their potential use in broader marine contexts — exploring not only what can be transferred from racing to production, but also what remains specific to the competitive environment.

Managing Director

Partner

Loris has been a driving force at GREENBOATS for over five years, beginning his career as a Boatbuilder and quickly transitioning into a Business Developer role.
His expertise spans a broad range of demanding projects, from custom applications within the yachting industry to high-performance manufactoring for IMOCA Offshore racing. In these roles, he was instrumental in the successful integration of sustainable natural fibers into structural components.
Today, Loris leverages this comprehensive knowledge to consult with clients across various industries, beyond the maritime sector. His primary focus is on demonstrating practical and effective ways for these businesses to integrate natural fibers into their own products, successfully combining high performance with sustainability.

Boatbuilder/Business Developer

Peter Byford is the Chief Technical Officer at RAD Propulsion, where he leads all technical aspects of product development and oversees the execution of complex engineering projects.
Since joining RAD, Peter has played a key role in the design and development of the company’s full range of innovative electric propulsion systems, helping to position RAD at the forefront of sustainable marine technology.
Prior to joining RAD Propulsion, Peter was Head of Electrical Systems at L3Harris Technologies, where he led the design and delivery of advanced marine robotic systems. Earlier in his career, he gained extensive experience in the automotive sector, working with several major OEMs and race teams. He also spent over a decade in web development and online database systems, delivering digital solutions for blue-chip clients.
Peter holds a first-class degree in Automotive Engineering and brings a combination of technical depth, cross-industry experience, and leadership to his role.
https://brandfolder.com/s/tzksggvms7c5vrmq84q795x

CTO at RAD Propulsion

Brian Benedict is the founder of WIF-Pro, creator of an innovative Water-in-Fuel Detection and Alert System and an ABYC-compliant gasoline clear bowl fuel filter assembly - the first of its kind. A South Florida native, lifelong boater, and Duke University graduate, Brian’s passion for boating led him to develop WIF-Pro after a 2020 family vacation was cut short when his boat suffered water-in-fuel contamination.
Discovering no reliable solutions - and that traditional options like the RACOR WIF sensors were no longer recommended for use in gasoline applications - he set out to engineer a better system. After four years of development, WIF-Pro launched to industry acclaim, earning IBEX Innovation Awards in 2023 and 2024 and the 2025 NMEA Technology Product Award for advancing marine safety and reliability.

CEO Advisor, Saudi Red Sea Authority & Vice-President, Water Revolution Foundation

Manager

Yacht designer and Founder

Owner, development & production

GM Persico Marine

Superyacht Sales Manager

Co-founder

Project Director/Client Representative

Founder and CEO of Boatscribe, a global yacht rental metasearch engine, and FleetRank, a fleet analytics and dynamic pricing platform. His work bridges technology and yachting, helping the industry become more transparent and efficient.

Founder & CEO at Boatscribe

Suzanne Blaustone initiated her manufacturing career in Chicago in the 1980s and was among the first women selling hotroll steel bar direct to US forging operations, before moving into chemical coatings in 1991 for automotive, electronics and general industrial sectors.  
Arriving in the UK in 1997, she expanded international sales for US exporters of polyurethane coatings and intermediates before transitioning to the role of CEO at Barton Marine Equipment in 2014. 
In 2020, she expanded Barton’s sales impact when opening Barton US LLC in the state of Virginia to supply Barton equipment in North America.  
Suzanne remains passionate about the growth of manufacturing sectors in the UK and EU and focusses on sales expansion through product innovation, exporting, business partnering and optimising distribution networks.

Chief Executive Officer

Content Director

Chair, Vice President, Environmental Compliance & Marine Technology

Henrietta Roslund is the CEO and Co-Founder of MOXSEA, the leading whitelabel SaaS platform engineered specifically for boat clubs and boat-sharing businesses. Her vision for MOXSEA was sparked by her own hands-on experience running a boat club in Mallorca. She founded the company to simplify complex operations and drive a more efficient, accessible, and sustainable future for the nautical industry.
Beyond MOXSEA's growth, Henrietta is a prominent voice shaping her personal brand as a female leader in the marine sector. She leverages authentic storytelling and education to spotlight the enormous opportunities within boat sharing, from evolving ownership models to the substantial environmental and community value it delivers. Through her writing, public speaking, and industry engagement, she is a passionate advocate for greater inclusion, innovation, and transparency in the marine space.

CEO & Co-Founder

Jarrod Seymour brings over 26 years of experience at Garmin, spanning multiple product segments including outdoor, automotive and marine. 
With a strong foundation in both electrical and software engineering, he has led product design teams for more than 20 years. Jarrod has played a pivotal role in Garmin’s marine segment since 2013 and was named Marine Business Segment Leader in 2018. Driven by a genuine passion for marine electronics both personally and professionally, Jarrod’s leadership fuels ongoing innovation and strategic growth within Garmin’s marine business.

Garmin Vice President and Marine Segment Leader

Scott Berry is the Vice President of Engineering Standards for the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) with more than 24 years of experience in the recreational marine industry. With the association since 2018, Scott manages the NMMA certification programs, domestic and international standards development, risk management publications and technical support. He currently serves on the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) Tech Board, numerous project technical committees, and as Chair of the Thermal Appliance PTC, in addition to serving on various International Organization for Standardization (ISO) working groups and the Board of Directors of the International Marine Certification Institute (IMCI).

Vice President of Engineering Standards

Philip Easthill is the Secretary-General of European Boating Industry (EBI), which represents the European recreational boating and nautical tourism industry. The mission of the association is to advance and represent a sustainable boating and nautical tourism industry #MadeInEurope. Key topics that EBI is working on at a policy level and in cooperation with its members are sustainability, circular economy, tourism, taxation, qualifications, access to finance, and international trade.
He has been in the position since September 2019 and previously worked in Public Affairs and Regulatory Affairs at EU level. With an academic background in Politics and Business Management, he is also an avid sailor and worked in the nautical tourism industry previously. Philip Easthill represents the industry towards the EU institutions, as well as in high-level fora and Expert Groups relevant for the sector.

Secretary General

Eric serves as President and CEO of IMTRA Corporation, a leading manufacturer and importer of quality solutions and products for the marine, energy and transportation markets. Eric joined New Bedford, MA-based IMTRA in 1988 and served in roles in product management, marketing and operations before being appointed COO in 2012 and CEO in 2014. Eric was responsible for engineering the employee-led/ESOP buyout of IMTRA which is now a 100% employee-owned company.
Eric is active in marine industry governance through his role as a board member and incoming chair of the audit committee of the National Marine Manufacturers. He also acts as the state captain for Massachusetts for the ESOP Association’s New England Chapter. A lifelong boater, Eric grew up sailing on the waters of Buzzards Bay in Massachusetts. He attended Westminster School (Simsbury, CT) and graduated from Bates College (Lewiston, ME) with a BA in Mathematics. Eric is very active in his community with a focus on philanthropic activities including his role as Trustee of the Braitmayer Foundation. He lives in Fairhaven, MA and is an active golfer, boater and tennis enthusiast.

President and CEO of IMTRA Corporation

Victoria is the CEO at The Magenta Project.  Having worked in the sailing and marine industry for nearly 30 years, she has a background in media and communications primarily with sailing campaigns.  In  2019 authored the Strategic Review into Women in Sailing and led the World Sailing Trust before joining The Magenta Project earlier this year.

Jochen grew up at the Ammersee (Lake Ammer), Germany’s sixth largest lake, located southwest of Munich. Sailing dinghies and participating in all types of water sports quickly became some of his main hobbies from an early age.
As a young adult he acquired an engineering degree in wood technology (Dipl. Ing. (Fh)) from the University of Applied Sciences in Rosenheim. To further round out his academic career he achieved a Masters Degree of Science at Oregon State University with a focus on production management and strategic marketing.
With degrees in hand he worked for a good decade as a consultant in the automotive and marine industry for two boutique consulting firms located in Munich. The various and international projects mainly in the field of development, production and quality has truly given him a broad view across industries. His passion for boats and the marine industry lead him to the position of product manager for sailing yachts at Bavaria Yachts. He became VP quality and later SVP product development and global service at Torqeedo, the world leader in electric boat propulsion.
Today Jochen is working as a marine consultant in partnership with Seaman Consultants.

Marine Consultant

Naval Architect

Nikusia Kooijmans is Marketing and Sales Manager at ONEXP, where she focuses on driving commercial growth and building strong industry relationships.
Alongside her role at ONEXP, she proudly serves as President of Young Professionals in Yachting (YPY) The Netherlands, where she is dedicated to fostering connections, supporting emerging talent, and inspiring the next generation of industry leaders by bringing them together.
Nikusia was honored with the Best Young Sales Professional Award of the Netherlands. With eight years of experience in the yachting industry, she is passionate about expanding her network and encouraging those outside the sector to discover the opportunities and excitement of the yachting world.

Marketing and Sales Manager

A seasoned commercial leader with 25 years of international experience, Quinton has built a career at the intersection of craftmanship, technology, innovation, and customer experience to Now leading European sales and strategic partnerships at Barantech, a pioneer in marine electronic control systems.
He plays a key role in helping shipyards, OEMs, and designers integrate intelligent switching solutions that elevate performance, safety, and onboard experience.
Having worked across marine electronics, e-mobility, consumer goods, and advanced manufacturing, he brings a broad commercial perspective to how innovation is conceived, positioned, and adopted in global markets. His experience spans Europe and Asia, where he has led multi-market sales operations, developed distribution frameworks, and driven growth through consultative customer-focused strategies.
What distinguishes his approach is a belief that technology achieves its greatest value when it enhances the human experience something that Barantech has a long history and experience with.
Whether in mobility or superyachting, his work centres on translating engineering excellence into intuitive, elegant, and memorable solutions — turning technical capability into commercial and emotional impact.

Sales Director, Marine & Luxury Yachts

Director International Partnerships

Business Development Coordinator & Technical Project Manager

Frank Hugelmeyer is president and CEO of the National Marine Manufacturers Association, the leading trade group for recreational boating and the largest producer of boat shows in North America. He’s the board chair and a founding member of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, the Washington D.C.-based coalition of America’s leading outdoor recreation trade organizations, and vice-chair of the International Council of Marine Industry Associations.
Frank has more than 35 years of senior executive experience in the global sporting goods, outdoor recreation, and association management sectors. He’s worked as the chief executive at three of America’s most influential outdoor trade groups and as an executive for leading manufacturers and NYC’s oldest sporting goods retailer.
Prior to joining NMMA in 2019, Frank was president at RV Industry Association and Go RVing. Before that, he was the longtime CEO of Outdoor Industry Association where he led the renowned campaign that defined the economic importance of the $1 trillion outdoor recreation industry for the first time in our nation’s history. He’s also known for joining forces with Utah Governor, Gary Herbert, to establish the country’s first state office of outdoor recreation.
His unique career journey has enabled him to collaborate with the world’s leading outdoor public companies, consumer brands and retailers, a list that includes Nike, VF, Patagonia, Bass Pro, REI, Thor Industries and Winnebago, along with pinnacle marine brands like Brunswick, Yamaha, Polaris among many others.

President and CEO

Cindy is the CEO and Founder of Floatist, a software company helping fleet operators around the world. With her skills as software engineer, her 5+ years of experience as a skipper and her vision for Floatist she set out to solve the many challenges yacht charter operators face on a day to day basis.

Co-Founder / CEO

Michele J. Goldsmith is Vice President and General Manager of the Soundings Trade Only Group, a leading B2B media brand serving the marine industry, and group publisher of Soundings Trade Only and Soundings publications. With more than 30 years of experience spanning manufacturing, product development, and marketing and sales in both OEM and aftermarket markets, Michele brings deep expertise and insight to many facets of the industry. Her influence extends well beyond her role in media. Michele has served on several key industry boards, including the NMMA, Grow Boating, PAC, and ABYC’s technical board of directors. A champion of innovation and inclusion, she is the founder of the Women in the Industry series of programs and events, has spearheaded initiatives such as “Pitch the Pros,” “Women in the Industry,” and the “1+1 Mentoring Program.” She has been recognized and honored with the 2023 Darlene Briggs Woman of the Year Award and the 2024 Alan J. Freedman Memorial Leadership Award for her impact and leadership. A lifelong creative and former professional athlete, Michele brings energy, artistry, and a global perspective to everything she does on land or water.

Vice President and General Manager

Head of Marketing

Technical Manager Fédération des Industries Nautiques & EBI Technical Lead for Global LCA Project

Tijmen Hennekes is a project manager specialising in sustainable forest management, responsible procurement, and resource efficiency. His work centres on helping businesses strengthen performance and resilience through more sustainable and transparent timber supply chains. With experience across tropical forest regions and international trade, Tijmen brings a balanced understanding of how environmental and commercial objectives can reinforce one another.
In the superyacht industry, these insights are increasingly relevant. Tijmen explores how shipyards, designers, and owners can make informed material choices that support credible sustainability goals while maintaining the craftsmanship and quality the sector is known for.
His approach is practical and collaborative, encouraging dialogue between industries that share a stake in responsible resource use. By connecting forest management realities with business strategy, Tijmen highlights how sustainability can enhance trust, reduce risk, and create long-term value across global supply chains.

Project Manager Tropical Forests

With deep expertise in marine propulsion and vibration control, Gian Piero brings a wealth of experience in improving onboard comfort and efficiency. He’ll share insights on how innovation in mechanical systems can support the transition to quieter, cleaner, and more efficient electric vessels.

Andrew Semprevivo has been working in the marine industry since he was thirteen. What started out as a summer job at his local marina turned into a lifelong passion for boating. Between the local marina and his tenure at Seakeeper, Andrew served as International/West Coast Sales and Project Manager for the Viking Yacht Company.
Andrew joined Seakeeper in 2008, just as the company was bringing their gyros to market and led the charge in developing the company’s global customer base as well as its first-class global sales and support network. Since joining Seakeeper, he has held various positions from Inside Sales Manager to VP of Sales and Marketing. Andrew was promoted to President & CEO in April of 2018.
Andrew’s love of boating is not limited to his work! He is passionate about fishing and enjoys spending his free time on the water in both New Jersey and Florida with his family.

President & CEO

Marie‑France MacKinnon is the Executive Director of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) Canada, the voice of the country’s recreational boating industry. She leads the association’s strategic direction, public affairs, and government relations work, with a particular focus on advancing market access, industry competitiveness, and regulatory modernization.
A seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience in public affairs, communications, and advocacy, Marie‑France has held senior leadership roles across both the public and private sectors. Prior to joining NMMA in 2023, she was Senior Vice President of Public Affairs and Communications at the Canadian Meat Council, where she secured landmark federal policy wins that reshaped agri-food workforce and immigration strategies.
Fluent in both official languages and based in Ottawa, Marie‑France is widely recognized for her results-driven approach, coalition building, and ability to influence public policy on behalf of Canada’s business and trade sectors.

Executive Director, NMMA Canada

After initially starting his career in project freight forwarding aged 18, Kim Hollamby soon switched to the marine industry by joining a motor boating magazine, inspired by his family’s connections to boating. His next career step was to become part of the start-up team for a new title called Motor Boats Monthly. He became its editor three years later, a role he held for 11 years. 
 
Kim was invited to take on Group Editorship for the globally renowned business to business publication International Boat Industry and publisher for the marine portal ybw.com before serving as digital director for IPC/Time Warner in the UK. There he became responsible for the development of more than 70 websites for the company’s brands including Yachting World, Practical Boat Owner and Motor Boat & Yachting. 
 
After a few years working away as a company director in the education and information technology sectors, Kim returned to his first passion. Today his partnership business serves in several capacities for small and large marine companies around the world, including people and business development, marketing, communications and events. Kim spearheaded several initiatives to encourage participation in boating for his national marine trade association and currently serves on the committee of the British Marine Trades Association. 
 
As keen boating participants, Kim and his wife have owned everything from small sailing dinghies and kayaks to 14m motor yachts, including two Dutch built steel motor cruisers. In 1999 Kim undertook a 4500-mile circumnavigation of the UK with diversions to the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Ireland, calling in 147 harbours over six months.
 
Kim’s relationship with Metstrade dates to the turn of the Century. He collaborates with the show team on several initiatives including the world-renowned DAME Design Awards and IBI Metstrade Boat Builder Awards for Business Achievement. He blogs regularly on the Metstrade portal, plays an active role in the development of Metstrade’s Young Professionals Club and leads the tour programme.

Principal

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.

Managing Director at Le Boat

General Manager – Europe, Middle East & Africa

CEO Edorado

COO and Founder

Project Manager

Managing Partner

Electronic Engineer and MBA, cofounder of Videoworks and Itworks; dealing with innovation projects about AI (ML/generative), UX and SDN

CEO/CTO

Director IAMI GUEST

Director | Naval Architect

Programme Director

Clarissa Androsoni is an accomplished business development leader and strategist in the superyacht interiors sector. Based in Hamburg, she serves as Business Development Director at Winkels Yacht Interiors, a division of Winkels Interior Design Exhibition GmbH, where she bridges shipyards, designers, and owner representatives across Europe. With over fifteen years of international experience spanning technical outfitting, production management, and client relations, Clarissa is known for her ability to merge German precision with Italian creativity and a forward-thinking commercial mindset.
She is the founder of the Smart Interiors Horizon (SIH) committee under the Water Revolution Foundation, driving sustainability and innovation in yacht and luxury interiors through research, partnerships, and education. Beyond her corporate role, she also founded Clarissa Androsoni Consulting, advising shipyards and interior stakeholders on complex projects and sustainable value creation.
Clarissa’s work sits at the intersection of design, manufacturing, interior processes, and strategy. Her current projects include developing multi-stakeholder initiatives for circular interiors and launching new ventures in sustainable owner-supply products. Highly active on the international yacht circuit, she combines deep technical understanding with an entrepreneurial vision dedicated to shaping a more conscious future for luxury craftsmanship.

Business Development Director, Winkels Yacht Interior

Rupert Robinson is a strategic architect with three decades of experience designing sustainable-finance mechanisms that drive systemic transition across entire value chains. He structures blended-finance vehicles and carbon-market frameworks that mobilize public, private, and philanthropic capital to fund large-scale decarbonization.
A former senior leader at Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM) and RSBG SE, Rupert designed transition funds and national-level impact vehicles aligning institutional and DFI capital behind coordinated climate strategies.
A recognized pioneer of Micro-Carbon Financing, he creates mechanisms that transform everyday operations into perpetual climate-finance flows. His work spans infrastructure, real estate, sports and entertainment, marine logistics, and industrial transition—embedding financing directly into commercial systems to make sustainability self-funding.
As an Independent Sustainable-Finance Lead, Rupert now advises governments, investors, and industry coalitions on catalytic instruments, blended-finance frameworks, and outcome-linked models that make systemic transition both investable and enduring.

Finance Strategist

President IEMA

Sylvie Ernoult – Show Director, Cannes Yachting Festival Celebrating her final year leading one of the world’s premier yachting showcases, Sylvie has shaped the international stage for luxury and performance brands.

Show Director

Fabio Bignolini is the Co-Founder and CEO of nlcomp®, an Italian cleantech startup developing recyclable composite materials for the marine industry. A lifelong sailor, Fabio helped create rComposite®, a thermoplastic-based technology enabling circularity in high-performance products. Under his leadership, nlcomp® has launched award-winning sustainable boats like the ecoracer prototypes and the Grand Soleil Blue for Cantiere del Pardo, earning recognition from World Sailing, European Yacht of The Year and the Boat Builder Awards.

Co-Founder and CEO

Lucy Greenhill is a seasoned leader in the travel, lifestyle and entertainment industries, with a 15-year track record of building, scaling and transforming brands, including leadership roles at Bundl (Ticketmaster's travel packaging partner), Day 8 Experiences (The Yacht Week), and Ibiza Rocks - driving strategy, commercial growth and operational excellence across multiple global markets.
As Chief Operating Officer at Bundl, she led major international expansion and forged partnerships with some of the world’s most iconic entertainment brands. Previously, as Commercial Director at Day 8 Experiences, Lucy oversaw product innovation, revenue growth and global team leadership across a portfolio of travel and event brands. Earlier in her career, she built the Ibiza Rocks travel division from scratch into one of Europe’s largest youth travel operators - setting new benchmarks in the industry along the way.
Lucy brings deep expertise in strategic leadership, operational scale-up and commercial strategy - paired with a strong background in yachting holidays and hospitality.
Now, as Co-Founder of Nautica Collective, she’s applying that experience to reshape modern yacht travel. Driven by a passion to create something different, Nautica blends comfort with connection, and curated adventure with a community-first spirit - offering a new kind of sailing experience for today’s traveller.

Co - Founder of Nautica Collective

Aaron Porter is the editor of Professional BoatBuilder magazine produced by IBEX in Brooklin, Maine. He worked as a professional sailor, rigger, and newspaper journalist before joining the ProBoat editorial team in 2005. He has served on the ABYC board and advisory committees for boatbuilding industry training and education programs and is a regular host and moderator for educational seminars at IBEX and Metstrade.

Editor

A recreational craft professional for over 40 years, Craig has proven hands on knowledge of global standards, the engineering, manufacturing, and compliance requirements. Skilled in leadership and collaboration in both domestic and international committees, Craig demonstrates a thorough understanding of how the standards and certification processes work and have evolved over time. For over three decades, Craig has served the marine industry in multiple roles, including VP, Director, Chairperson, Convener, Expert and Member of executive committees, technical committees and boards. Craig holds a Master’s Compliance Specialist Certification from Westlawn Institute of Marine Technology and is an ABYC Master Technician. He is the current Chairperson of ISO TC 188 standards for small craft and is the VP of Standards and Compliance for the ABYC.

Vice President, Standard and Compliance

Editorial Director

After completing secondary school, I embarked on a professional journey into Italy, where I spent over five enriching years immersed in various facets of logistics. My career began with roles as a freight forwarder and customs agent, progressing into the intricate world of transport sales—both air and road freight. Also in San Marino This foundational period honed my expertise in supply chain dynamics and international trade, setting the stage for future ventures.
Upon returning to the Netherlands, I dedicated a decade to advancing the interests of Allpa Marine Equipment in Germany. Through relentless commitment and strategic vision, I transformed the company in Germany into a recognized success, elevating its presence and reputation within the competitive European market. Around the year 2000, I took the bold step of acquiring the firm  Allpa marine equipment bv and the GmbH , with the ambition to establish Allpa as a leading European player. By forging partnerships with renowned brands and cultivating a loyal customer base across the Benelux region and Germany, I successfully expanded the company’s footprint.
Under my stewardship, Allpa blossomed into a formidable force in the maritime equipment sector. In late 2021, the company attracted the confidence of private equity investors and was subsequently sold. I remained actively involved for another two and a half years as a member of the Supervisory Board, before stepping back to focus on new ventures, while retaining ownership in the group. ( Allpa, Combi Noord , Technautic )
Beyond the corporate world, I channel my entrepreneurial spirit into acquiring new residential and commercia/offices properties, and occasionally engaging in development projects. I was here already involved during the allpa period These endeavors complement my diverse professional portfolio and reflect a keen interest in real estate growth and innovation.
Outside of business, my passion lies in the realm of heritage classic cars. I actively participate in prestigious events such as Mille Miglia, Silverstone Classic, Le Mans Classic, and Goodwood Revival. These iconic gatherings celebrate automotive history and craftsmanship, offering me the thrill of competition alongside the camaraderie of fellow enthusiasts.
My journey is a testament to a lifelong pursuit of excellence, combining strategic leadership, entrepreneurial drive, and a zest for historic , heritage car-sport culture.

Former Marine Entrepreneur

Enya Gibbs is studying for a Bachelors degree in Sports Technology at Loughborough University and is currently completing a year in industry as a Junior Product Design Engineer at Spinlock, working on their protect, sense and control ranges. Alongside her engineering career, Enya is a qualified Race Coach, Dinghy Instructor, and Senior Instructor, combining her technical knowledge with hands-on experience in performance sailing. She also serves as the UK Mentee Lead for The Magenta Project, supporting diversity and professional development across the marine industry.

Junior Product Design Engineer

Emily Caroe is the Communications and Purpose Director for Team Francesca Clapcich Powered by 11th Hour Racing. A PR, communications, and sponsorship expert with over 25 years of experience at agency, rights holder, and brands, Emily leads multinational and multichannel communications campaigns across adventure, sport, and purpose. After leading the comms for a team in the 2017-18 Ocean Race, Emily was inspired to learn more about the power of sport to create positive impact for people and planet.

Communications and Purpose Director

Editor in Chief

I'm responsible for the industrial sectors of Yachting, Yacht Racing and Wind Ships for Brittany Region through the Bretagne Sailing Valley program

Project manager

Dr. Mike Peasgood is a serial entrepreneur and technology leader with a track record of building companies at the forefront of innovation. After earning his PhD in mechanical systems engineering from the University of Waterloo, Mike co-founded Aeryon Labs, where he helped pioneer the development of advanced unmanned aerial systems. Aeryon grew into a global leader in industrial-grade drones before its acquisition by FLIR Systems in 2019.
 
Building on that success, Mike founded ENVGO to bring aerospace-level engineering to the water. ENVGO is delivering hydrofoiling control technology and AI-enabled navigation systems that make boating cleaner, safer, and higher-performing. Its flagship NV1, a 25-foot electric hydrofoiling cruiser, demonstrates the thrill and efficiency of “flight over water,” while the company also partners with leading boat manufacturers to accelerate the industry’s transition to sustainable performance.

Francis Hueber is a Naval Architect and Co-founder of Caponnetto Hueber SL, with over 20 years of experience in high-performance, foiling, and efficient yacht design, as well as CFD, aerodynamics, and hydrodynamics.
A graduate of ENSTA Bretagne, he has played a key role in six America’s Cup campaigns, winning in 2010 and 2013 with BMW Oracle and ORACLE TEAM USA, and securing the Prada Cup in 2021 with Luna Rossa. 
At Caponnetto Hueber, Francis leads the strategic direction, overseeing business development, client relations, and R&D project initiatives, while guiding the technical execution. He facilitates and stimulates the team’s creativity, helping them imagine and develop new ideas for the future of yachting and maritime transportation.

General Manager

Senior Researcher

Andrea Tagliaferro is the founder of Yacht Femme, a platform dedicated to celebrating and empowering women in the yachting industry. She also serves as Marketing Director at Navier, a maritime technology company pioneering ultra-efficient hybrid and all-electric hydrofoiling vessels.
Andrea began her career as an architect, earning a Master’s in Interior Design in Venezuela, before moving to the U.S. and transitioning into yacht design. She later pivoted to digital marketing, serving as Marketing Director at VaynerMedia with Gary Vaynerchuk and then at Jim McKelvey’s tech startup, Invisibly, where she built and led the marketing department from the ground up.
Returning to yachting, Andrea reactivated and expanded her platform Yacht Femme, launched the first awards recognizing women in the industry, and organized a variety of initiatives—from forums to networking events—aimed at elevating female professionals and increasing their visibility in the field.

Joey Meen is Director of the IAMI GUEST Program and President of the Superyacht Alliance for Professional Standards. With over four decades in the yachting sector, she has shaped global training standards and professional development pathways. Her career includes senior roles with RYA, MCA, and 15 years at the PYA. Joey founded the internationally recognised GUEST Program, now delivered by more than 36 accredited providers worldwide. She continues to champion crew education through industry collaborations, working groups, and global yachting events.

Ludovico Ruggiero is an Industrial PhD candidate at Politecnico di Milano, conducting his research in collaboration with Sanlorenzo S.p.A. His work, aligned with the Water Revolution Foundation's YACHT 2030 framework, focuses on developing strategies and tools to effectively integrate Life Cycle Design principles and embed sustainability from the earliest stages of yacht design.

PhD candidate

Torsten Steinbrecher, Founder and CEO of Qualtron was born in Berlin in 1964. Torsten is married with one son to Jenny Steinbrecher, who also plays an important role in Qualtron as Managing Director.
Throughout his extensive career Torsten has enjoyed management roles in some of the biggest names in the industry. His passion, flair and attention to detail inspires his dedicated team to meet the challenges of the Marine AV market, where ultra-high net worth individuals demand the highest standards of performance and aesthetic appeal.
His technical prowess, tact and discretion make him an ideal partner in complex projects, where bespoke solutions are required. Torsten’s visionary approach merges technical expertise with an appreciation for aesthetics empowering him to meet or exceed the high expectations of his clientele.
The growing market for private cinema on board yachts brings unique opportunities to excel. Sophisticated technologies meet interior design to create the perfect AV solution in the most challenging environment. Torsten’s commitment to bringing the owner’s vision to life, leads his team to achieve the highest standards, where excellence comes as standard.
Hobbies and interests include sailing and diving in the crystal-clear waters of the Baltic Sea. He is also a member of the Lions Club International, supporting community projects and causes.

Founder & Managing Partner

I started my career in sound post-production studios in London and Paris before joining Trinnov Audio in 2010. Driven by a lifelong passion for sound, I’ve since worked closely with Trinnov’s teams and partners to develop products and solutions used in studios, high-end home audio, and commercial cinemas worldwide. Today, I lead Trinnov’s global sales and product development, helping advance how we understand and experience sound.

Sales Director

Dr. Julia Riedmeier is an internationally renowned luxury brand strategist, advisor, and author, as well as the founder of Code \ Luxe (est. 2021), a luxury studio that uniquely combines strategic advisory with an academy for luxury brands and professionals. Since 2010, she has been continuously exploring, analyzing, and contributing to the global luxury market. Since 2016, she has been teaching luxury brand management, currently in Munich and Monaco. In addition, she is actively involved in non-profit initiatives such as “World Boating Day” and the collective “Monaco Capital of Advanced Yachting”, for which she serves as an ambassador.

Founder & CEO

Andrew Boswell is the CEO of BlueGrid, a software and data company accelerating marine electrification. Based in Nova Scotia, Canada, and active across North America and Europe, BlueGrid delivers AI-enabled intelligence for vessel, port and electric grid operators to optimize the financial and environmental benefits of going electric. This starts with the data to inform transition decisions and then unlocks the operational value of vessel-to-grid. He brings an entrepreneurial mindset and global experience shaped by senior leadership roles in international firms, startups, and a range of volunteer roles.

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