During a sailing experience on board the 27-metre Oyster sailing yacht Lush during the Cannes Yachting Festival, BOATPro sat down with the new Oyster CEO Stefan Zimmermann Zschocke to discuss his priorities, opportunities for growth and what excites him most about leading the British yard into its next chapter.
Oyster CEO Stefan Zimmermann Zschocke is just weeks into his tenure as CEO of Oyster Yachts, but he’s already been on a whistle-stop tour of the UK, meeting staff, suppliers and customers. He takes the helm under the ownership of Richard Hadida, who rescued Oyster in 2018 and rebuilt it into a profitable, stable business.
With Hadida continuing as chairman, Zimmermann will now steer day-to-day operations, with the pair set to strengthen Oyster's position as a leading name in bluewater cruising yachts. A passionate sailor with a background in manufacturing and private equity, Zimmermann brings both enthusiasm and experience to the role.
This is your first role as CEO. What are your top priorities as you settle in?
My very first priority has been to connect with people. In my first week, I held town halls across the UK and visited our service team in Palma. I’ll also be meeting suppliers and customers, because Oyster’s direct relationship with owners is unique in the industry. That feedback loop – from service to customers to engineering – is vital.
The next big focus is ensuring the successful launch of our new model, the 805, and the new bimini and garage options for the Oyster 595SII. We need to deliver them on time and on budget. And, with my manufacturing background, I’m also looking closely at efficiency, because producing in the UK means higher labour costs. The challenge is to make sure we remain competitive while keeping production here.
So you see yourself taking quite a hands-on role at the yard?
Yes, absolutely. Some CEOs prefer to keep their distance, but I believe I can’t achieve anything without my team. I want to know who I can rely on and build trust. My culture is simple: do what we say, don’t overpromise – whether to customers, the board or the owner—and if mistakes happen, we learn from them once.
With my manufacturing background, I’m also looking closely at efficiency, because producing in the UK means higher labour costs. The challenge is to make sure we remain competitive while keeping production here.
Where do you see Oyster’s biggest opportunities in the next five years?
Oyster is unique – not only in product quality but also in the sense of community. Our World Rally creates a family atmosphere, and now with the Oyster Explorers Club. Our World Rally creates a family atmosphere, and now with the Explorer Club, we’re offering shorter adventure routes for those who can’t do the full circumnavigation. That opens new experiences and new revenue streams, like organising safaris or helicopter trips alongside sailing.
There’s also demand for larger yachts. The 805 is a great step, but customers are asking for even bigger Oysters. With 1,300 yachts already out there – some 30 or 40 years old – we see opportunities both in new builds and in expanding service, especially with world rally boats needing constant support.
Oyster Explorers Club Rallies
Oyster has expanded its recently launched Oyster Explorers Club with a new series of owner rallies. Designed for those who may not have time for the full Oyster World Rally, these curated adventures offer shorter, fully supported voyages through some of the world’s most spectacular cruising grounds. Each rally blends challenging sailing with cultural experiences, scenic anchorages and exclusive social events, giving owners the chance to explore in the company of a like-minded Oyster community.
Speaking to BOATPro, Oyster Yachts owner Richard Hadida shared his plans to take his own 885 sailing yacht – which has already completed 18 transatlantic voyages – on the full Oyster World Rally in 2026 with his wife and young son in tow. “These boats are adventure machines,” he says. “You put your life and your children’s lives in their hands – and they never let you down.”
What excites you personally about leading Oyster?
I’m a passionate sailor. For me, spending time on board or walking the shop floor doesn’t feel like work – it’s what I love. I also enjoy production; there’s honesty in the yard, where people tell you the truth. That’s where real leadership happens.
What drew me to Oyster is that it’s not only about yachts, but about the lifestyle and community around them. Combine that with my experience in companies of this size and it feels like the perfect fit.
Owner Richard Hadida: "Why I bought Oyster..."
Richard Hadida, tech entrepreneur and owner of Oyster Yachts, first fell in love with the brand as an owner of an Oyster 885. “I didn’t intend to buy the business,” he recalls. “I just loved the yacht so much that when Oyster went into administration, I thought maybe I was the right person to save it.”