Meet the 26 speakers at the 2016 Superyacht Design Symposium

PLENARY SESSION SPEAKER: Is beauty a science or an art?

Theo Fennell went to Eton in the 1960s, and surprised his teachers by becoming the first pupil there in living memory to go to art college. He first studied at the York School of Art and then at Byam Shaw (now part of UAL), and began in portraiture. He soon realised he would starve if he continued down this path, and by pure fate was then offered a job at the great silversmiths Edward Barnard’s where he discovered an aptitude for silver and jewellery design as well as a huge respect for craftsmanship.

As well as his one offs and masterworks, Fennell also designs jewellery which is inherently wearable and of course, impeccably crafted. He has numerous famous fans including Lady Gaga, Cara Delevingne, David Beckham and Sir Elton John, of whose AIDS Foundation he is also a committee member. He has a number of accolades under his belt including winning the ‘Oscars of luxury’, the Best Luxury Craftsmanship Award at the Walpole Awards for Excellence. In 2007 he curated Show Off, an exhibition of his works at the Royal Academy, and has exhibited at the esteemed art, antiques and jewellery fair Masterpiece London, for the past 3 years. He also whole-heartedly supports the work of young jewellery and silver students – The Royal College of Art Theo Fennell Awards for Jewellery and Silver are in their 10th year this year, and he also works in conjunction with Central St Martins and Goldsmiths.

PLENARY SESSION SPEAKER: What is the new luxury?

Nicky Haslam is one of London’s best-known and best-loved interior designers, a charmed and charming agent of style and a taste-maker for the rich. His appeal is global and NH Design interiors are sprinkled around the globe from Mayfair to Moscow to Morocco. He’s a social magician who has created the décor for some of the most iconic parties of our age from the Opera Ball in Hong Kong to the Cartier Polo Gala lunch. Its no wonder HRH the Prince of Wales and Sir Evelyn and Lady Rothschild have enlisted his services for their events. Nicky is also a waspish diarist, a talented memoirist and has, latterly, managed the successful transition to cabaret artiste. He is one of the funniest social observers and was a friend of Elvis, Svetlana Stalin and Liberace.

PLENARY SESSION SPEAKER: Is the client always right?

Francesco Lovo, graduated in Aeronautical Engineering at the Politecnico of Turin in 1993, starts his career at Fiat Avio with particular assignments related to ESA programs for the development of new generation reusable space launchers and advanced ‘airbreathing’ hypersonic propulsion systems.

In 1997 he starts collaborating with Pininfarina Extra as Engineering Manager establishing a new CAD virtual modeling unit for industrial design projects.

From 1998 to 2001 he is responsible for business development while in 2002, he takes the responsibility of the creative, design and engineering management at Pininfarina Extra as R&D Director.

In 2005-2006, in the occasion of the Olympic Winter Games 2006 in Turin, he manages the whole research, development and manufacturing program for the Olympic torch, produced in 12.000 pieces by Pinnfarina SpA.

From 2007 to 2013 he manage the development program at Pininfarina Extra for the new passenger cabin interiors for Sukhoi Superjet-100 regional jet.

In the meantime he establish a new architectural-design division at Pininfarina Extra.

In the following years he manage the design development programs for superyachts projects collaborating with the selected shipyards and the end users.

In 2015 he take the responsibility of the whole operative activities relevant to the Pininfarina projects outside the automotive field as Pininfarina Extra Vice President Operations.

Up to now he has managed more than 400 different design projects in different design and industrial fields working with customers all around the world.

PLENARY SESSION SPEAKER: Is the client always right?

Peter Lürssen has been the managing partner of the Lürssen Shipyard since 1988‎, continuing the company's family-owned tradition in the fourth generation together with his cousin Friedrich Lürssen. A graduated naval architect, industrial engineer and having obtained an MBA from Cornell University, Peter Lürssen oversees all seven Lürssen shipyard locations in Northern Germany and is active in the operative business of yacht sales. Not only passionate about yachting and sailing, Lürssen has made the support of marine protection a priority in his charity work. He is a strong supporter of the Blue Marine Foundation, a marine conservancy successfully and efficiently campaigning for the set-up of Marine Protected Areas in the world's oceans, and he passionately spreads the word amongst clients and industry leaders.

‎In his free time, Peter Lürssen prioritizes spending time with his family, on sailing cruises or at home in Bremen.

PLENARY SESSION SPEAKER: Is beauty a science or an art?

Espen Øino is the principal of Espen Øino International, a leading firm of designers and naval architects based in Monaco, specializing in the design of large, bespoke motoryachts. With over 40 yachts in service and many more currently in build, Espen Øino International is today considered one of the leading design studios in the world. Amongst the more recent deliveries are the new Kismet, the 95 meter Lürssen  Ester III, a 66 meter Lürssen Inifinity, a 89 meter Oceanco and Ocean Victory, a 140 meter Fincantieri.

PLENARY SESSION SPEAKER: Superyacht Owner Panel

Owner and captain of 41m Superyacht Komokwa, Brian O’Sullivan is a self-proclaimed ‘meat and potatoes boater’ who states; ‘luxury for the sake of luxury’s sake has never interested me, unless it serves a higher purpose.’

Currently the President of the Mexico Power Group, Brian is an entrepreneur with an active career in sustainable wind energy and most recently solar energy. He has served on the Board of Directors of the American Wind Energy Associations and is founder of the California Wind Energy Association.

In October 2013 Brian departed from Vancouver, Canada for an extended round the world cruise, stopping in at the Montenegro Rendezvous on the back of his tour of the Balearic Islands.

PLENARY SESSION SPEAKER: Is the client always right?

Pascale Reymond is the Managing Director of Reymond Langton Design, an international award winning interior and exterior design company for Super Yachts located in the UK.

The company was established in 2001 by the talented design duo Pascale Reymond and Andrew Langton. Pascale’s creative background involves a Master’s degree in Art History from La Sorbonne, Paris before moving to London to study Interior Design.

Pascale’s superb attention to detail means that every delivery has unquestionable quality, which undoubtly can been seen in the team’s most recent delivery, Lürssen’s Lady Lara, along with other recent deliveries including the new Kismet, Ester III and Ann G.

PLENARY SESSION SPEAKER: Form vs Function

Andrew Winch has been in the specialist yacht design environment for over thirty years. Having grown up sailing on the south coast of England in dinghies and cruising yachts, his love of the sea embodies all of his work. Formal training at St Martins’ School of Art, London and Kingston College of Art laid the foundations for his career. This was followed by a year sailing as a crew member across the Atlantic and in the Caribbean on a private 52 foot sailing yacht.

On his return he joined Jon Bannenberg Ltd as an apprentice designer. Here he learned his trade and went on to collaborate with Bannenberg on four major sailing yachts; Shirley B (80ft), Acharne (112ft Huisman), Garuda (102ft Nautor custom) and Starlight (94ft).

In 1986, Andrew launched “Winch Design” with his wife Jane. Since its foundation, the studio has delivered 75 super yachts including both sailing and motor yacht projects – and has won over 30 prestigious awards from the leading awards bodies. With dedicated Exterior and Interior Yacht design departments and a highly experienced decorating team, AWD offers its clients a fully turnkey design package. The studio’s 2013 deliveries include  Madame Gu (99m Feadship), Sea Owl (62m Feadship) and Inoui (33m Vitters).

Andrew places great importance on nurturing and developing the AWD team. Based in a converted fire station on the banks of the Thames in London, the AWD team of 70 people (who hail from all over the world) is today recognised as one of the leading International Design Studios.

PLENARY SESSION SPEAKER: What is the new luxury?

Richard Woolley is the Studio Director for Design Research and Special Vehicle Operations, working under the direction of Gerry McGovern Jaguar Land Rover board member and Land Rover’s Chief Creative Officer.

Richard started his career in the UK, completing studies at Swansea University College of Art and Design before taking on his first design role at Airbus Industrie in Hamburg, Germany.

His career at Land Rover began in 1985, when he worked for the Rover Group on numerous passenger vehicle programmes including Rover, MG, MINI, and Land Rover vehicles. During this period he also worked in Tokyo, Japan and Munich, Germany.

After a period working in Detroit for Ford Design North America, Richard returned to the UK to take up the role of Studio Director within Land Rover. His significant design achievements upon his return included the 2003 Range Stormer concept, 2004 Range Rover Sport, 2007 Freelander, and 2009 Range Rover. Under Gerry McGovern’s overall leadership, he also directed the design team working on the all-new 2012 Range Rover.

Richard leads a team of creative designers who are developing future technologies and looking at other product opportunities for Land Rover. This includes design responsibility for the Special Vehicle Operations business within Land Rover, which develops high-end luxury bespoke and extreme performance vehicles, including the Range Rover SVAutobiography and the Range Rover Sport SVR.

In his spare time, Richard enjoys all aspects of design, travel and music. He has a great interest in rugby & football with a particular passion for his national side Wales. He is married with one daughter and lives in Warwickshire.

Fred van Beers has been the CEO of Blohm + Voss since March 2015 and has held senior leadership positions in the maritime industry for more than 15 years. Fred joined Blohm+Voss from his former position as Vice President Services Northern Europe at Wärtsilä, the global leader in complete lifecycle power solutions for the maritime industry and energy markets with a presence in more than 70 countries.

Fred van Beers is a qualified ship engineer, went to sea for four years, and has led all stages of design, engineering, production and aftermarket services. He has a proven track record in delivering profitable sales growth. Throughout his career at Wärtsilä and his positions in various maritime industry organisations in the Netherlands and Europe, Fred van Beers built up an extensive international network within the community of yacht and ship owners, yacht designers, shipyards and the maritime supply industry. For the past 20 years delivery of systems and services for yachts has been part of his wider responsibilities.