Oyster Yachts has announced Ashley Highfield will be stepping down as chief executive officer (CEO) during the third quarter of this year, with his successor to be named in the coming weeks.
Highfield has worked with the British sailing yacht builder for the past seven years, initially as executive chairman before moving into the role of CEO.
During his tenure, Highfield halved Oyster's losses in his first year as CEO and returned the business to profitability in the fiscal year just ended (FY25). He also oversaw the release of the brand's new dedicated concierge services, as well as a new 24-metre superyacht inspired sailing yacht cruiser known as the Oyster 805.
“It has been an honour to serve as chair and CEO of this great British company for the past seven years and really get to know the team," Highfield said of the announcement. “With the business trading profitably, backed by a strong order book and impressive fresh line-up of models and services, I will hand over the helm in the autumn to a new CEO, who will have the energy, experience and passion to take Oyster forward to the next level over the coming years, working with the impressive leadership team and the 500-strong highly skilled and talented workforce based in the UK, Spain and the US."
Highfield will continue to serve in an advisory capacity to ensure a smooth transition to the yard's incoming CEO, who also comes from the marine manufacturing industry.
Meanwhile, Oyster Yachts owner Richard Hadida will remain as chairman, focusing on new product development, branding, marketing and oversight of the board.
“I am eternally grateful for Ashley’s leadership, direction and support on our voyage to turn Oyster around. We have been closely working together on the successful growth of topline revenues and brand," said Hadida. “We agreed he would take over as CEO for a finite three-year period, with a mission to re-establish Oyster as a pre-eminent brand in the luxury sailing yacht market. I am happy to say that job is done."
According to Hadida, Highfield helped Oyster Yachts reach record sales in FY25 with a current order book extending into 2026. Hadida also credited Highfield's "innovative thinking and leadership" for additional successes, such as the updated 595 Series 2, a full Oyster World Rally 2026 and a new suite of services, including the Oyster Explorers Club. "It is all part of our longer-term journey from a pure yacht manufacturer to a brand which delivers dreams and adventures," he added.
Hadida continued: “I look forward to welcoming our new CEO who can take the business forward to the end of this decade and beyond."
According to BOATPro, Oyster is working towards the completion of four 27-metre 885 models, three of which are scheduled for delivery in 2025.