THINK AHEAD WITH YACHT COATINGS
Successful innovation is the result of synergistic partnerships among all stakeholders. The same holds true for yacht coatings. What lessons can we glean from a Turkish shipyard and their collaborators as they challenged conventional paradigms?
Speakers
Richard Jennings currently works in the Yachting Industry as The Global Technical Service manager for Akzonobel Yacht Division.
Richard Previous roles have been within the Painting and Engineering Industries both in Automotive and Yacht, working as an Applicator, Inspector, quality control and Paint manager. The latter being Sunseeker international, specialising in Exterior and Interior effect finishes and repairs.
Having qualified as a panel beater and painter in the automotive Industry NVQ ( National Vocational qualification ) Richard turned his passion of boating and paint into a career which has to date ( 2024 ) spanned 36 years.
Having undertaken further education Richard has also qualified in NCFE level 3 award in education and training, delivering training on application and products for the yachting Industry, whilst holding both Nace 2 and RMCI qualifications.
Ken Hickling has worked within the Yachting industry since graduating from Solent University in 1990 where he studied Boatbuilding and Boatyard Management. During that time, he worked with Composites specialist Gurit (UK) Ltd (formerly SP Systems) before spending 21 years with the leading global paint company AzoNobel. His positions there included VP Marketing for Interlux in the USA and Global Manager for Awlgrip – both specialist Yacht paint companies.
Mr Hickling currently serves as a non-executive director on the board of the Viking Maritime Group . In addition to running his own Business Advisory company, he currently has the role of Managing Director for three specialist consulting companies: Newmar Overseas Consulting Ltd, Optimar Consulting Ltd and John Robinson Associates Survey Specialists Ltd.
Ken holds a position of Emeritus board member with global superyacht industry association ISS, having served as President, and is currently vice chair of Superyacht UK, which is part of the UK leisure marine trade body British Marine. Hs is also the BSI (British Standards Institution) representative on ISO TC8/SC12/WG5 the technical standards working group addressing Quality on Superyachts.
Ken also serves as one of the Trustees of the Superyacht Charities Foundation which raises funds from within the Superyacht industry on behalf of many small charities operating across Europe.
