Toby Haws

Editor of Boat Owner Middle East, Founder of AGYA in 2007, author of Explorer Publishing’s Dubai Yachting & Boating Guide, and Manager of Al Hamra Yacht Club & Marina

Toby is an experienced marine journalist and sailor having critiqued the Middle East marine industry since 2005.Having sat on the Gulf Boating Conference Panel of Experts every year since 2007,  been Cruiser Captain for Dubai Offshore Sailing Club 2009 and raced onboard the successful Pal Zileri & Carrera Racing Team campaigns, he has a firm hand of the marine leisure industry.

Stuart Burke

Director of Marina Operations, Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club

With more than 20 years experience in fiberglass boat manufacturing, workshop repairs and marina management, Stuart moved to Dubai in 2002 as production manager at Al Hareb Marine. In 2005 he took over as Marina Workshop Manager at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, being promoted to Marina Operations Manager in 2006 and overseeing the development of both Dubai Creek marina and its holding marina to avoid the floating bridge

Ross Gill

Experienced yacht broker and marine consultant

Over the last 13 years Ross has been involved in a wide aspect of the yachting industry from sales both in the Gulf and the UK and Europe, to Super yacht crew and agent.  Having run two local companies, one his own and one for a large multinational, he has witnessed the region’s marine industry from all angles and has experienced firsthand the highs and lows of doing business in our region.

Bruno Meier

Director of Marine Operations for ART Marine

Responsible for all of ART Marine’s charter, water sports and marina management operations. Bruno graduated from Geneva University and started his career in 1986 as a captain on charter yachts. In 1992, he became General Manager of Sunsail International in Turkey and managed a fleet of 120 luxurious charter yachts, a 200-vessel boatyard, and 5 holiday resorts specialized in water sports. In 2001, Bruno joined Camper & Nicholson as General Manager of Port Gocek, one of the most prestigious marina in the Mediterranean, and in 2003 he joined the famous marina resort of Port Bodrum as General Manager. Bruno lives and works in the UAE since January 2006 and was recruited by Island Global Yachting to become Regional Operation Manager. Bruno has in-depth experience in yacht chartering, water sports, boatyard operations, marina management and waterfront development. Bruno is a skilled scuba diver and sailor; he launched many regatta and nautical events in East Mediterranean and was Commodore of several Yacht Clubs.
www.artmarine.net

Cedric Le Rest

Marina Manager, Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi

With 20 years in the marine and leisure industry, Cedric brings his in depth knowledge to Aldar’s flagship marina; Yas Marina. Cedric has been a resident of the United Arab Emirates for eleven years, and of these he has successfully managed marinas over the last ten years. He has successfully co-organized five editions of the Dubai International Boat Show and key watersports events in the UAE during his years at Dubai International Marine Club. Cedric played a major role in his part of the preopening team at Yas Marina & Yacht Club. One of the many highlights of his career to date has been his co-organization of the inaugural Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Formula 1™ Grand Prix. During the highly acclaimed motor sporting event, Cedric and his team welcomed some of the world’s top yachts and up to 20,000 guests at Yas Marina over the duration of this event.
www.aldarmarinas.com

Gus Corlett

Founder and director, The Boathouse

Experienced engineer, welder and self-confessed petrolhead, Gavin ‘Gus’ Corlett has been in the marine industry for 18 years, moving from the commercial side to leisure marine around 2004. From rebuilding engines to antifouling, stainless steel fabrications to maintaining superyachts, over the past 6 years The Boathouse has grown to become nationally recognized. Gus’ main interests lie in the technical aspects of performance engine building and design work.”
www.theboathouse.ae

Nigel Graystone

Director, Straightline Cargo

Having spent more years hanging around ports than a Bur Dubai maiden, Nigel has shipped in, out, or about everything and anything to do with boats and marine parts in the Middle East. From trailer boats to superyachts, ro-ros to submersibles, if it is in transit anywhere in the world, Nigel will know about it.
www.straightline.ae