In our second digital superyacht roundtable (seats sponsored by RINA), we will provide a lively interactive discussion with leading principals from the yachting industry, actively participating, discussing, debating, brainstorming on the following themes:
  • The new owners’ expectations and yachting trends
  • Environmental imperatives
  • Digitalization and cybersecurity
  • New technologies
  • and more
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    Lee Archer
    Principal Project Manager, LATERAL
    As part of Lateral’s senior team, Lee is an experienced technical manager used to delivering complex projects in a highly design led industry. With a comprehensive understanding of the design process, engineering and manufacturing, he has played key roles in bringing to market successful large and innovative yachts as well as production/ semi-custom boats & commercial vessels. Alongside general duties, he has spent his time developing & promoting skills transfer via work-based training and mentorship programmes to increase technology awareness and build effective project teams.

    When not working, Lee can be found in his sea kayak, up to his elbows in grease whilst rebuilding his classic car, or enjoying good food with friends and family.
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    Txema Rubio
    Commercial Director, MB92
    Txema graduated as a marine engineer and obtained experience in other industries before embarking upon a career in the superyacht refit industry, principally at MB92 Barcelona where he has held positions such as Senior Project Manager, Quotations Director and Commercial Director, his current role.

    Able to draw upon a wealth of experience and technical expertise gained through over 14 years in the sector, supported by a master in project management and an executive MBA, Txema has a deep understanding and holistic view of refit, having been involved in every stage of the project life cycle – from sales through to project execution.
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    Patrik von Sydow
    CEO, Turquoise Yachts
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    Lorenzo Pollicardo
    Director, Technical & Environmental at Superyacht Builders Association (SYBAss)
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    Robert van Tol
    Executive Director, Water Revolution Foundation
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    Alison Vassallo
    Partner, Fenech & Fenech Advocates
    Alison Vassallo is a Partner of Fenech and Fenech Advocates in Malta and heads the Yachting Department. She also works within the Marine Litigation Department.

    She qualified as a lawyer in 2004 with a Doctorate of Laws from the University of Malta after presenting her thesis on ‘Recent Initiatives Affecting Port and Vessel Security Regimes’. She proceeded to obtain her Master’s Degree with Distinction in International Maritime Law from the International Maritime Law Institute (IMO) in 2005 and was awarded the IMO Secretary General’s Prize for Best Dissertation for the work ‘Persons Rescued at Sea: Recent Developments and Trends in Coastal State Response’.

    She joined Fenech and Fenech Advocates in 2006. For the past 14 years she has been heavily involved in advising and co-ordinating projects for owners and financiers relating to the acquisition and sale of both private yacht and commercial yachts. She has extensive experience in advising clients with regard to registration, financing, chartering, yacht leasing, crewing and fiscal requirements and solutions. Furthermore her areas of practice within the firm embrace all aspects of maritime law including EU shipping law, recognition and enforcement of foreign judgements and arbitral awards, ship arrest and other precautionary measures for obtainment of security and co ordination of tender procedures involving a maritime element.

    Alison Vassallo is a Council and Executive Board Member within the Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, is the Chairperson of the Yachting Trade Section within the Chamber of Commerce, an Executive Committee Member of the Malta Maritime Law Association (MMLA) and a Member of the Chamber of Advocates.
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    Julian Smith
    Principal Surveyor, Cayman Registry
    Principal Surveyor, Global Safety & Compliance - Cayman Islands Shipping Registry
    The Cayman Islands Shipping Registry (CISR) provides client-focused maritime administration and related services to merchant ship owners/operators, commercial yacht and pleasure vessel owners/managers, designers and builders, who value long-term relationships and operate a diverse range of vessel types and sizes, worldwide.
    After graduating from University in 1998, Julian initially worked as a New Construction Project Manager before joining Lloyd’s Register in 2004. He joined the Cayman Islands Shipping Registry in 2017 and is now responsible for the survey and certification of Yachts in accordance with the requirements of the Large and Passenger Yacht Codes. He also acts in the capacity of Code Secretariat for the REG Yacht Codes.

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    Fiorenzo Spadoni [MODERATOR]
    Global Yachting Director, RINA