International Womens Day 2022: 6 Women Proving Yachting Is No Longer a Man’s World
Not too many years ago if someone was asked to name a female yacht designer, it would have been tricky to think of even one. Now times are changing and it isn’t just in design. Women have been making their mark across the industry and they’re making a big impact. In honour of International Womens Day 2022, we have been catching up with 6 women proving Yachting is no longer a man’s world. Let’s find out how they got into yachting, why they are so passionate about it, and whether they feel happiest on land or on the water.
Sabrina Monteleone-Oeino: Managing Director of Sabrina Monte-Carlo
What is your first yachting memory?
The first time I visited Kismet with Espen was 14 years ago. I was so impressed, it looked so futuristic! Even years after its construction, it still is so unique compared to other yachts.
What are the best aspects of your job?
Definitely having the opportunity to meet clients from all over the world, who all have very different stories and tastes! I am also lucky to have visited some of the most beautiful homes and yachts, and work with the greatest architects. I also love working with my family; my sister and my two daughters!
As one of the biggest names in the industry, how do you see the luxury yachting market changing over the next 10 years?
I have the feeling that the idea of the classic yacht, the “palace on water” will disappear and make room for a more contemporary style, with lighter and brighter colours.
I also think that research and exploration vessels will be seen more in the landscape. They are generally eco-friendly yet adventurous. Yachting will have more than just a leisure purpose.
Could you tell us something about you that might surprise us?
I started my company because of plastic chairs! I simply could not believe these superyachts with sumptuous interiors had such basic outdoor furniture. That is why I started looking for something that would correspond to the luxurious pieces the clients had inside their yachts.
When are you most content – on the water or on land?
On the land, at the beach for sure! But I definitely love being on the water for my holidays.
Visit sabrinamontecarlo.com
Pascale Reymond: Managing Director of Reymond Langton Design
What is it about the yachting industry you are passionate about?
People working in this industry are very passionate about what they do and this is very contagious.
What is the favourite design you’ve completed?
It would have to be 91m Lady Lara exterior styling and Mogambo for the interior.
What are three of your most proud achievements?
o Setting up Reymond Langton Design
o Winning Serene, a 134m yacht contract without having any yachts completed at the time to show
o 75 % of our workforce are women and I am very proud to promote all these super talented persons in the yachting industry
Tell us something about you that might surprise us?
I am a qualified archaeologist and have done many excavations in Italy, France, and the most disturbing one was in the heart of a 12th-century church where I was surrounded by many ancient bodies.
When are you most content – on the water or on land?
On my paddleboard, at my beach hut in the south of France which is literally 2 meters away from the most wonderful turquoise water!
Visit reymondlangtondesign.com
Sylke auf dem Graben: PR & Marketing Manager at Lürssen
Tell us a little about your background?
Before I started to work in the yachting business in 1991 I worked in an advertising agency where I obtained my marketing background.
Since 1991 I have mainly worked for two yachting companies. The first 12 years for the Dutch shipyard Jongert and their exclusive sales and marketing company Dahm international, at their office in Düsseldorf and since 2003 for the German shipyard Lürssen in Bremen.
A sentence description of what you do – and why you love yachting?
I look after all the PR and marketing communication activities for Lürssen with regards to yachts. I love my job in yachting because it allows me to get in touch with a unique and fascinating product.
What are the best aspects of your job?
There are many…
As I am looking after all marketing activities the job is very diversified. You have to jump from one theme to the next and always keep the overview and be up to date on what is happening in the market. I like that.
The boat shows give me the opportunity to travel from time to time and to stay in personal contact with the people I am dealing with and meet new people. I think that is the most interesting and important part. Meeting people from all over the world keeps you alive and on your toes!
And the best thing is, that the yachting industry is relatively small and it feels a bit like a family. During the past 27 years, I have buildup very close relationships with journalists, designers, brokers, and colleagues from other shipyards and from all over the world and it does not matter which nationality you are.
Tell us something about you that might surprise us?
Things that would surprise you – difficult task… I have been told I am a good kart driver and I really love to do that. It is possibly in my blood as my father was a successful rally driver.
And I love to dance the night away, which people around me had to experience a few times. Unless you push the STOP button I do not stop dancing as long as the music is good.
When are you most content – on the water or on land?
One of the best holidays I spent on a 12m sailing yacht. I have a very generous friend who invited me a few times to sail with him in Sardinia and Croatia. Also sailing on a Catamaran in the Caribbean was one of the best experiences. On the water you can relax immediately and I love that feeling. On the other hand, the land has so much to offer and to explore. And luckily my other half and I share the same interests and it is the best thing in the world to experience things together.
So, difficult to say, I guess I am happy wherever I feel good and where I have nice people around me, no matter if on sea or on land.
Visit luerssen-yachts.com
Gill Brooks: Owner of Gillian Jacquest Ltd
What was your first job in yachting?
Procurement Manager at Winch Design. I went on to lead all Aviation and Amels shipyard projects, with personal career highlights including the delivery of 65m M/Y “Z” and 83m M/Y “Here Comes The Sun”.
What is your current role in the industry?
I own Gillian Jacquest Ltd; a boutique interiors consultancy, working with and advising a select number of private clients and the industry’s most respected designers and suppliers, to ensure complex projects are meticulously managed; run seamlessly on-time and within budget.
What is your favourite part about your role?
My role takes me all over the world, where I am fortunate enough to meet some of the most talented artisans, craftsmen, and designers in our industry. I am motivated every single day by these people, the different cultures, projects, and experiences. I feel very fortunate to be able to work with such gifted and inspiring individuals on a daily basis.
How do you feel the industry will change over the next 10 years?
I see a deeper understanding and appreciation of what it means to deliver a true “luxury” product. Pollaro Custom Furniture creates some of the most beautifully handcrafted pieces of art case furniture in the world; I see these pieces becoming the collectibles of the future. It is important to support these traditional methods of craftsmanship while continuing to innovate and generate bespoke designs and luxury products, which will continue to inspire the next generation of our industry.
When are you most content – on the water or on land?
Without a doubt on the water. Some of my most treasured memories and experiences have been on the water. You can’t beat a boat day with good friends in the summer!
Coming soon gillianjacquest.com
Sara Gioanola: PR and Press office manager at Heesen Yachts
How did you get into the industry and when?
Since I was a child, I have always sailed during the holidays with my family and this is where I developed my passion for the sea. I started my career in yachting working as crew on a 52’ Baltic called Escondida. The Owner of this wonderful sailing yacht introduced me to Perini Navi, where I began my career in 2005 in the superyacht industry in marketing and communications.
What are your favourite parts of the yachting industry?
I truly love the sea and the shipbuilding element of the industry. I particularly enjoy the construction of a yacht at the shipyard. The aluminium workshop is my favourite shed, and I love the sea trials in the North Sea.
What do you do – and why do you enjoy working for a shipyard?
At Heesen, I am PR and Press Office Manager. I really enjoy welcoming press and guests to the shipyard and showing them around our beautiful facility. Anyone can see a yacht sailing, but just a few people have the privilege and honour to see one under construction. I feel when a yacht it is out of the water, it is even more impressive… I usually take our guests for a walk under the hull to take a photo. You feel very small!!
How does the yachting industry need to change?
I hope that one day (soon) more women will have key roles…
When are you most content – on the water or on land?
On the water, without a doubt!
Visit heesenyachts.com
Lilli-Marie Rollwa Neubelt: Founder of German Art Couture
Tell us a bit about yourself, your background and what you are what is your current role?
Since I was a child I have always been surrounded by the yachting industry through my father, Frank Neubelt, who is a Yacht and Naval architect. Consequently, I knew from a young age I wanted to work in the yachting industry.
Three years ago I started to work as my father’s Personal assistant. Recently I established my own company, which is referring to the yachting industry, called German Art Couture.
As an artist myself, I always dreamt of combining my two passions; Art and Yachting. Together with my business partner, Maire-Claire Bartmann, it came to our minds that contemporary art on superyachts is the subject we want to focus on. Our mission is to bring talented upcoming artists, onboard yachts.
Why are you so passionate about the yachting industry?
The yachting industry is a familiar and open-minded atmosphere that always inspires me. Every yacht is a piece of art itself. Seeing how the biggest luxury is meeting together with the purest nature, is a breathtaking experience.
Do you envisage art will influence yacht designs over the next 10 years?
Friedrich Nietzsche once said: “A life without music is a fallacy”. I transfer this quote to art. As I already pointed out; in my opinion, any atmosphere is inchoate without art. Looking at recent projects in the industry I think, that art is becoming a more indispensable topic in the yachting industry.
Art is increasingly integrated into the furniture as well as more space for artworks being created on board of almost every yacht, as especially the new generation is interested in integrating contemporary art in their yacht-interior.
What is your current favourite superyacht and why?
That’s a difficult question to answer, there are so many different new designs. I am a big fan of Jubilee by Oceanco because the design is contemporary and futuristic. This design goes with the general design development and then takes a step ahead.
When are you most content – on the water or on land?
I grew up in a sailing family so I always felt connected to boats and life at sea. To my mind, there is no place on earth that is more peaceful than sitting on a classic sailing yacht, touching the water, and watching the sunset.
Visit germanartcouture.com
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