Back by popular demand, the Women in the Marine Industry International panel and networking breakfast returns to Metstrade 2025, building on the sell-out success of last year’s event.
This dynamic session will bring together an outstanding panel of female leaders and changemakers to share professional insights, lived experiences, and fresh perspectives from across the global marine sector.
Hosted in collaboration by British Marine, Marine Industry News, Soundings Trade Only, and Metstrade, the event is designed to inform, inspire, and connect women - and men - working in every corner of the industry. More than just a conversation, it’s a unique opportunity to exchange ideas, build networks, and celebrate the diverse talent shaping the future of the marine world.
This event proudly supports Room to Read, a global charity advancing children’s literacy and girls’ education. Join us in creating change; one step, one voice, one girl at a time.
<a href="https://secure.roomtoread.org/page/177845/donate/1" target="_blank">Make a Donation </a>
Unfortunately, Tanja Lutz is unable to join the panel as planned due to unforeseen circumstances, but we thank her for her support and hope to welcome her at a future event.

Women in the Marine Industry International - Navigating today’s global market

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Director IAMI GUEST

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

Founder

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

Editorial Director

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

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.

GM Persico Marine

Director

Superyacht Sales Manager

Co-founder

Project Director/Client Representative

Managing Director

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.

With a career built at the intersection of technical expertise and commercial leadership, Philip Aikenhead has spent more than a decade helping companies push the boundaries of advanced composite construction. As Gurit’s Head of Sales for EMEA, he leads regional growth and guides customers through complex technical challenges.
His background ranges from managing marine sector sales and advising on composite applications to building components for elite racing teams. This blend of practical, hands-on experience and strategic sales leadership gives Philip a unique perspective on both the technical and business sides of the industry.

Head of Sales

Technical Director

Jaime has held the role at World Sailing, since January 2020. He leads the organisation’s work on equipment regulation, measurement and certification, and offshore safety and standards worldwide.
Throughout his tenure, Jaime has championed innovation and fairness in sailing by introducing advanced technologies such as 3D scanning of foils to ensure that races are determined on the water rather than in the boat-park. He has also overseen the expansion of self-certification programmes for sails, and the implementation of a Universal Measurement System, aimed at reducing cost barriers and improving global consistency for sailors and manufacturers alike. With a strong focus on technical integrity, sustainability and a level playing field, Jaime brings a wealth of experience to discussions on equipment rules, class management and offshore standards.

Director of Technical & Offshore

Gerben Visser is the Founder and CEO of Aquator Marine, a company that builds software for the yachting world. Having spent years around boats, both racing and cruising, Gerben saw how much the industry could benefit from better digital tools. Today, Aquator Marine helps yacht managers, shipyards, and owners simplify day-to-day operations through modern, intuitive technology. Gerben is passionate about bringing innovation, transparency, and efficiency to an industry that still runs largely on spreadsheets and emails.

President IEMA

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

Maciej Rynkiewicz has been a Standards Developer for ABYC since 2019. An integral member of the ABYC Standards and Compliance Department, Maciej works directly with the Project Technical Committees (PTCs) responsible for creating and updating the ABYC standards. Maciej is also a member of ISO/TC 188 where he is working on ISO electrical standards. He also manages hands-on testing to see what can go right, and wrong, with boat electrical systems. A long-time boater, Maciej is a Certified Marine Technician with credentials from ABYC, NMEA, and Abaris as well as a skipper and certified sailing instructor.

Standards Developer

Ellen Bradley serves as Chief Brand Officer and Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the National Marine Manufacturers Association, the leading trade group for recreational boat, marine engine and accessory manufacturers in the U.S. who drive more than $230 billion in annual economic impact and support an estimated 100 million Americans who go boating each year.
 Ellen is responsible for the NMMA brand, deploying marketing and communications strategies that continuously elevate the association’s voice and reputation as the leader in connecting the recreational boating industry with policy makers, boating consumers and stakeholders.
 Ellen oversees NMMA’s market expansion work through Discover Boating, helping welcome more people to enjoy the benefits of life on the water and fueling a commitment for doing so in an increasingly sustainable way. Recently, Ellen led the team in revitalizing the industry’s Discover Boating brand with a new visual identity and omni-channel strategy, resulting in the launch of the successful “See You Out Here” campaign, attracting more than 6 million next generation and current boaters to the Discover Boating community and connecting nearly 2 million of them with boat manufacturers and dealers to explore boat ownership. In under two years, the new strategy resulted in Discover Boating moving from a $6-7 million six-month marketing campaign to a year-round brand experience valued at nearly $30 million. In 2024, Ellen and her team were the architects behind the global marine industry’s Propelling Our Future education campaign on behalf of more than 50 marine industry trade associations worldwide. The campaign harmonized global boating industry stakeholders, bringing one voice and successfully educating policy makers and boating consumers on the portfolio of propulsion technologies shaping the industry’s ongoing commitment to sustainability.
 Additionally, Ellen leads NMMA Business Intelligence, the association’s strategic data science and research that powers the industry’s most comprehensive insights. As the hub for industry, consumer and economic data and trends, NMMA Business Intelligence shapes some of the most important decisions in recreational boating. Prior to becoming Chief Brand Officer, Ellen rose within NMMA from Vice President of Marketing Communications to Chief Communications Officer. Ellen took on these roles after joining NMMA from Harpo, Inc., where she drove communications for Oprah Winfrey’s entertainment properties and foundation. Earlier in her career she held strategic communications and brand marketing positions on both the agency and client-side including representing entertainment and consumer brands, government agencies, and trade associations spanning Hilton Hotels, the National Cattleman’s Beef Association, Coca-Cola, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, and the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Bureau of Engraving and Printing. 
Ellen has been recognized by PRWeek as a Woman of Distinction (2024), Boating Industry Magazine Woman Making Waves (2019), Boating Industry Magazine 40 Under 40 (2007, 2017) and Association Forum, 40 under 40 (2015). She currently serves on the boards of directors for the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation and Chicago-based A Giving Heart Foundation and is a member of Step-Up Women’s Network, a non-profit mentoring program for young girls. Ellen graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism. She lives in Chicago with her husband and two children and can be found boating on Lake Michigan during the city’s beloved summer months and going for long runs along its beautiful lakefront trails.

Chief Brand Officer and Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications

Robert Newsome is the Chief Administrative Officer and Senior Vice President of Operations for the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), responsible for overall organizational operations, alignment of strategy in support of the recreational marine industry, membership and member engagement, human resources, technology, the Marine Industry Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) program, and product certification (NMMA Certified) programs for boats, yachts, PWC, marine oils and boat trailers.
Robert is the past Chairperson of the National Safe Boating Council, serves on the Board of Directors of the American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) and the Water Sports Industry Association (WSIA), and on the National Safe Boating Advisory Committee (NBSAC) by appointment of the Secretary of Homeland Security.  He has extensive experience in representing the marine industry in standards development and safety issues through numerous committees of ABYC, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
Robert has authored and presented on numerous industry, economic, boating experience and safety topics prevalent to today’s recreational marine industry, and serves as a spokesperson for the Discover Boating program.  He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Bradley University, and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Notre Dame.  Today, he continues his education on operational and technology strategic excellence at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). 
Robert is an avid power boater, fisherman and a life-long sailor on Lake Michigan and the lakes of the Midwest.

Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) & Senior Vice President of Operations

Oliver Heer is a Swiss German professional offshore sailor who competed in, and finished the 2024 Vendée Globe, a solo, unassisted, non-stop circumnavigation of the globe.
From Zurich, Switzerland, Oliver transitioned from a career in international management to pursue his dream of professional sailing, establishing himself in the world’s toughest offshore races. He is known for his extraordinary resilience, leadership, and focus in extreme environments.
Beyond racing, Oliver uses his platform to promote sustainability and tackle climate change.

Professional Offshore Sailor

Barrow International has been delivering cost effective, specialised, high impact marine marketing distribution results, nationally and internationally, for over 35 years. Directed by sales and marketing expert David Barrow, Barrow International has become a leading export business development agency in the commercial and leisure marine sector.  With past and present clients including Tylaska Marine Hardware, Spectra Watermakers, Sulnox Group PLC fuel saver additive, Anchoright Anchor chain marking system amongst others.  Some of the business have carried on becoming market leaders in their sectors.
Whether you’re a fast-growing business entering the international marine market, or a mature business aiming to launch your product or service into the marine industry, Barrow International has the expertise, contacts and influence to ensure your product or service is properly launched to a global audience of influential marine professionals. 
Combined with our consultancy service, Barrow International has an exclusive and unrivalled marine industry database, which is acknowledged by industry professionals as one of the best contact databases available.  It includes some of the highest-level decision-makers in the sector, in 25 different categories from yacht designers and manufacturers, to equipment manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, agents, retailers, and related service and equipment suppliers.

Owner

Corporate Communication manager

President

With a background from DNV Kristoffer is now leading the compliance work at Candela

Director of Quality and Compliance

Hugo Kerhascoët is a PhD engineer specialized in high-performance sailing and real-time control systems. For more than 15 years, he has operated at the intersection of control theory, embedded software, and performance analytics, always with one foot in the engineering lab and the other on the racecourse. His technologies have been deployed in over 100 round-the-world races and contributed to multiple wins and records across offshore and foiling campaigns.
His expertise includes advanced autopilot design, embedded control architectures, sensor fusion, and data-driven performance optimisation for both racing yachts and commercial foiling craft.  Today, through we.deploy(science), he develops real-time optimal control systems based on digital twins and model predictive control (MPC), pushing the next wave of autonomy in competitive sailing. He also spent three years inside an America’s Cup team, working across performance, design, and mechatronics groups to turn complex engineering into competitive advantage.
Alongside his technical work, Hugo has co-founded several innovation-driven companies in the marine tech ecosystem, bringing ideas from concept to reliable, field-proven systems.

With a long experience in strategy and international business development for B2B technical products and equipment, I have the pleasure to promote and market the WATTALPS battery packs since 2022. The unique immersion cooling technology of WATTALPS batteries provides the highest level of safety, enhanced performance and lifetime in various markets like marine, construction, mining, port equipment, heavy trucks, off-highway and racing cars.

Sales & Business Development Director

Head of Vessels

Michael Short is Vice President of Marketing Operations and Residential at Crestron, a global leader in AV, control, and automation technology. With over 15 years of strategic marketing leadership, Michael oversees global marketing operations across product, PR, digital, and marketing systems—ensuring consistent brand execution and measurable impact across international markets.
He also leads Crestron’s residential marketing division, driving adoption of Crestron solutions and supporting growth across key verticals including hospitality, design-build, and marine. His continued leadership in the Marine Channel has helped establish Crestron as the AV and control technology leader in the superyacht sector, delivering innovative onboard experiences and integrated control solutions.
Michael’s career spans both large corporate environments and agile start-ups, where he has built and led high-performing teams through periods of rapid growth and transformation.

Vice President Global Marketing Operations & Residential

Christophe Bourillon has been the CEO of the PYA since 2021. He has 30 years of experience in senior management, public affairs, and crisis communication at the national and international levels. He has founded and led various industry associations, such as Wind Europe. He has also driven other organisations through major transformations, including the World Nuclear Association, the European Biofuels Association and the World Federation of Science Journalists.
 
He has managed government relations campaigns for the oil and gas, nuclear, and other industries. As an accredited expert to the United Nations, he participated in the negotiations of the UN Convention on Climate Change for more than 15 years

Co-Vice Chair

A writer, photographer and video presenter with 35 years experience in the superyacht industry, Justin Ratcliffe is known for his professional, no-nonsense journalism that informs the reader while offering genuine insight into the people and processes at hand. He is currently Editor of the technical magazine How to Build It and Associate Editor of Superyacht Times.

Editor How to Build It Magazine

Christian Bolinger, BEng. (Hons), born in 1971, Managing Director of List General Contractor.  
After earning his Bachelor’s degree in Engineering with a focus on Yacht and Powercraft Design in England, the Swiss citizen began his professional career in 1997 by establishing his own engineering and design consultancy, specializing in the design of ships and yachts. In 2010, he advanced to become Managing Director of a Dutch shipyard.  
In 2016, Christian joined List General Contractor GmbH as Head of Sales & Service, where he played a key role in successfully completing numerous yacht and residential projects. Since November 2020, he has been a member of the company's executive board, overseeing Sales, Marketing, Manufacturing, and Project Calculation.  
Christian is also Managing Director of Cohrs Werkstätten GmbH and Riederle Werkstätten GmbH, both of which are subsidiary companies of List General Contractor.

Matthew Zimmerman is CEO of <a href="https://www.farsounder.com">FarSounder</a>. He founded the company more than 24 years ago. Since its inception, he has driven the technical development and vision of FarSounder. His focus is on growing the company’s reach and developing an expert design and implementation team capable of translating customer needs into best-in-class commercial products. He has a passion for marine safety and for the sustainability of the ocean ecosystems. With these goals in mind, he leads the FarSounder team in the effort to create safer oceans by enabling FarSounder users to contribute to Citizen Science initiatives including whale conservation, ocean trash mapping, and crowdsourced bathymetry and through participating in the Whale and Vessel Safety Taskforce and in the IHO’s Crowd-Sourced Bathymetry Working Group (CSBWG).

Rowan Gyde, co-founder of 'Aotearoa Ocean Racing', New Zealand's newest national sports team, taking on The Ocean Race 2027 and Director of Kaha Marine, specialist commercial strategy consultancy for marine companies.

Co Founder

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.

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.

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

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

Director of Vessev USA

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.

Partner

Laura is a former superyacht Purser, with shoreside experience in yacht management, refit, and construction across Europe. After completing a master’s degree in psychology, she joined the ISWAN team in January 2025 as Welfare of Yacht Crew Project Manager, focusing on the development and delivery of collaborative, cross-industry projects addressing key health, safety, and wellbeing issues faced by crew. ISWAN is Secretariat and Project Manager for Changing Tack, the crew welfare think tank under the Superyacht Alliance.

Welfare of Yacht Crew Project Manager

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.

Chairman & Editor in Chief

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

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

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

ICOMIA

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