Meet the 36 Superyacht Design Symposium 2017 speakers

Luca Bassani is the founder and president of Wally, founded in 1994, which introduced a new concept of sailing cruiser that opened up a new route in yacht design. Having revolutionised the sailing yachts, in 2001 he developed and introduced the wallypower line changing the whole powerboat design.

Luca created an outstanding and iconic brand in both the yachting industry and the luxury market, his breakthrough products are regarded as the state of the art in design: Wally is the only yachting brand two-time winner of the Compasso d’oro, the world’s most important award for quality and design. In 1994 Luca Bassani began racing the Wallys and in 1999 he founded the Wally Class, the largest fleet of racing superyachts and one of the IMA divisions - International Maxi Association.

Luca Bassani has been owner and helmsman of different yachts. In the IOR, he won the Mediterranean Championship and the Two Ton Cup in 1972 with the 43-foot S&S Locura, and in 1975 he owned Phantom, the first maxi-yacht at those times. After the IOR, he moved into the 6-metre division, winning two European Championships (1986-1990). He then started sailing in the Mumm 30 class winning the 1998 World Championship.

Luca Bassani graduated in Business/Economy at Bocconi University, Milan, in 1980. In 2004 he received the Honorary Degree in Industrial Design from the University of Architecture in Genoa, Italy.

Tim Heywood founded Tim Heywood Designs, with his partner Vanessa Reville, in 1996. New projects followed very quickly and he became involved in ever increasing sized yachts, M/Y Pelorus, M/Y Carinthia VII, M/Y Dilbar, M/Y Ice, M/Y Radiant, all built by Lürssen, M/Y Mayan Queen IV, M/Y Baton Rouge, M/Y Cakewalk, M/Y Kogo, M/Y Al Mirqab, M/Y Symphony and, again with Lürssen, M/Y Quantum Blue and M/Y Topaz, (being the largest yacht he has designed to date, at 147 metres.)

Tim’s working relationship with the Amels Ship yard and the Limited Editions series of yachts, now totalling over 30 yachts in the last ten years, has been extremely successful and continues to this day. Tim has worked with nearly all the major yacht building yards of the world, Lürssen, Amels, Feadship, (both Royal Van Lent and De Vries), Blohm & Voss, Kusch, Fincantieri, Icon, Alstom, Direcktor, Oceanfast, Oceanco, Benetti and Picchiotti.

The flowing lines of his exterior designs, often matched with twisting structures, large windows and large wing stations, give his designs an original, individual and strong presence that makes his designs stand out from their contemporaries. Tim’s work has been very influential, he enjoys pushing the building yards, gently and with good humour, to create, what he considers to be, timelessly, elegant yachts.

Tim entered the yacht design world in 1972 at the Chelsea studio of Jon Bannenberg, prior to this he studied Industrial Design Engineering.

Rob Armstrong has always had a huge interest in all aspects of design, completing an extensive range of projects and commissions for clients internationally, ranging from marine to residential and commercial design.

After seven years working for one of the top superyacht designers, Ken Freivokh, Rob established the ThirtyC design studio and consultancy alongside fellow designer Alastair Fletcher. Multi-discipline design is Rob’s strength, from exterior styling through to interior design, evolving with each-and-every client.

ThirtyC are continually looking at pushing the boundaries of creativity, drawing upon their own influences and experiences. The studio’s decision to work closely with other design firms has allowed them to work with some of the most well know names in the superyacht industry and be involved in several unique and award winning designs both afloat and in build.

Charlie Hagan is Co-Managing Partner and Head of Training and Nutrition for luxury personal training and nutrition firm Hagan & Pappin.

Charlie spent several years in the health & wellbeing industry advising individuals, families and corporates on fitness & nutrition optimisation before setting up Hagan & Pappin in 2014. He has worked with leading international exercise labs and for private clients across the Middle East, the US and Europe.

Hagan & Pappin manages and optimises the health, nutrition and physical activity of individuals and families across the globe. The firm’s team works with designers to custom build bespoke fitness areas into clients’ Superyachts and private homes specially tailored to their needs and physiology. They also deliver nutrition training to on-board chefs and supply on-board trainers and physical therapists.

Charlie has an early background in the industry. His father is an Offshore Powerboat Racing World Champion and Superyacht designer. Charlie is a competitive offshore yacht racer with an RYA Yachtmaster.

He has a BSc, Chemistry from the University of Bristol. He qualified as a Personal Trainer in 2002 and holds successive advanced qualifications in fitness, nutrition and physiology. He was a corporate M&A lawyer in London before moving into health.

Peter Mikic is a London based interior and furniture designer working with mid-century antiques and contemporary art. A new entry in House & Garden’s 100 Leading Interior Designers 2015, he is commended for delivering “ultra-stylish, subtly coloured interiors featuring sharp tailoring and beautifully chosen art”. Peter has been featured in AD Collector’s Top 100, his style described as ‘avant-garde glamour’ and a new hardback book called ‘Room’ by Phaidon press features his work.

He is currently working on several houses in London and abroad, refurbishing a luxury yacht and a wonderful country house with a modern twist. He also designs his own range of bespoke lighting, rugs and furniture using the finest artisans.

In 2007, his first solo commission was a 53m superyacht called Elisabeth F. It went on to win best refit at the Showboats Design Award in 2007, as well as receiving a ‘highly commended’ at the World Superyacht Awards. He has worked in the UK and abroad on a range of private houses, yachts and private jets. In 2006, Candy & Candy commissioned Peter to design couture uniforms for a luxury yacht called Candyscape. They loved the embroidered Japanese cranes on the women’s cocktail Kimonos so much they commissioned embroidered curtains, cushions and upholstering for the yacht.

Peter studied fashion at The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology between 1988 – 1990 where he completed a BA in Fashion with Distinction and during which time won Victoria’s Womenswear Designer in 1990 for the Australian Wool Corporation. He moved to London in 1992 working in fashion for almost 15 years before moving to interiors. It was by default, though inevitable, he has a passion for all design.

Gregory C. Marshall Naval Architects is a Victoria B.C. based design firm owned by Principals Greg Marshall and Gordon Galbraith. The firm has been operating from Victoria for 22 years, and has created more than 400 designs from which more than 1000 vessels have been built.

Gregory C. Marshall NA (GCMNA) designs a wide range of vessels from small aluminum runabouts to a current project under construction that is over 270 feet. The firm is involved in the Design, Naval Architecture, Structural and Mechanical Engineering as well as interior design. Their projects are building on all continents except Antarctica. The firm is in the regular business of designing in Steel, Aluminum, FRP as well as wood.

GCMNA has won numerous Awards worldwide including “Best Naval Architecture” (2 times) , “Best Yacht Under 500 GRT” (3 times) , “Most Innovative Yacht” (3 times) “Best Styling” (3 Times) “Best Interior” (3 times) and “Best Refit”.

Jeremy Roche is WIDER’s Sales & Marketing Director. Joining in February 2015, Jeremy brings a remarkable knowledge of the industry and strong management skills which are now applied to promoting the WIDER brand and increasing sales for the Italian superyacht builder. “We are overjoyed to have Jeremy on board, he brings international experience in the world of superyachts that is of fundamental importance to the growth of our company.” Tilli Antonelli, WIDER Founder and CEO.

In 2001 Jeremy took up a post with Boat International Media, quickly rising to the position of Sales Director. During his eight years in this role, he gained the respect and confidence of top executives from shipyards and brokerage houses across the world.

A chance meeting in Spain opened Jeremy’s eyes to the possibilities of the yachting industry, and he spent seven years employed aboard both motor and sailing yachts. During this time he completed three Atlantic crossings, and a delivery from Thailand to the South of France, and also qualified as an RYA Yachtmaster.

Jeremy studied Chemistry at Durham University.

Rebecca Sawyer is a Senior Interior Designer at Reymond Langton Design, splitting her time between London & Bath. She studied Fashion Design at Leeds University. After graduating in 2010 she began work experience at Reymond Langton Design and quickly fell in love with the industry. Within a month of starting at RLD she was offered a full time position, allowing her to put her knowledge of design and fabrics to practical use. Seven years later she has seen the launch of eleven new yachts under the Reymond Langton brand, along with refits and the development of numerous interior concepts and current projects. Most of her time is taken up by project management, along with artwork, furniture and fabric development. Although she loves working on such forward thinking projects, her dream project would be to refit a classic steam ship for a private client who appreciates the film Casablanca.

Bill Duker is the founder of Amici LLC, acquired by Xerox in 2006 for $174 million. Founded in 2002, Amici is a leading provider of electronic-discovery (e-discovery) services, primarily supporting litigation and regulatory compliance. E-discovery is the identification, filtering, production and storage of relevant data from paper or electronic documents, like e-mail, text files, memos, databases, presentations and spreadsheets.

Sara Gioanola joined Heesen in 2009 as the role of PR and Press Officer. She shares her enthusiasm for the Heesen brand via the media, with extensive content in print publications, digital platforms, videography, events and trade shows. She has helped raise Heesen’s profile considerably thanks to her skills in communication coupled with a thorough understanding of luxury brands and marketing, all around the world.

Prior to Heesen Yachts, Sara worked with Baglietto as a fast motoryacht specialist and Perini Navi, the major superyacht builder specialising in large sailing yachts, from 2005 – 2008.

Sara graduated in 2001 with a Master’s degree in Philosophy. She has always been a passionate sailor and is fluent in three languages.