Andrea Dini has been a journalist for BARCHE for over 20 years. Based in Monaco, he serves as the Managing Director of Investor Media Monaco Sarl, a renewed company specialised in media activities and the organization of both B2C and B2B events. With extensive experience in planning and overseeing high-profile business and sports events in Monaco and globally, Andrea has also held prominent positions in the yachting and powerboating sectors at both institutional and business levels. Andrea is also Board Member of the Cluster Yachting Monaco.
Hailing from Austria, Europe, Christian Gumpold is a visionary in the field of yacht design and innovation.
After his studies in Industrial Design and Innovation Management in Graz, Austria, he founded a yacht design studio, where he gained extensive expertise in both exterior and interior design through numerous superyacht projects.
As a true innovator in the industry, Christian is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of yachting, striving to design extraordinary products and deliver unparalleled experiences for superyacht owners.
He serves as the CEO and lead designer of MIGALOO Private Submersible Superyachts. MIGALOO is redefining the future of yachting by introducing a revolutionary third category of yacht: superyacht-sized private submarines. The design of the 165-meter M5 Private Submersible Superyacht offers owners an unparalleled alternative to traditional motor yachts and sailing yachts. The core benefits of a submersible superyacht are unparalleled privacy and safety for the owner and guests, thrill and exploration, modern technology and ultimate individualization, setting a new benchmark for the evolution of the yachting industry.
A Master of Business Administration graduate from The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Ms Chan was appointed in September 2012. Before joining Airport Authority Hong Kong, Ms Chan was the Director, Retail Portfolio and Marketing, at Hysan Development Company Limited. Prior to that, she gained substantial management and commercial experience in multinational companies while holding senior positions at Reckitt Benckiser (Hong Kong and Taiwan) and Johnson & Johnson Hong Kong. Ms Chan served as a Member of the Hong Kong Housing Authority and Chairman of its Audit Subcommittee. She is the Chairman of Dongguan HKIA Logistics Park Investment (Dongguan) Co., Ltd and a member of the Advisory Board of The Chinese University of Hong Kong MBA Programmes.
Erwin Bamps rejoined Gulf Craft in 2025 as Chief Executive Officer, bringing with him a broadened international perspective shaped by two decades of global leadership in the marine and luxury sectors.
First joining Gulf Craft in 2002, Bamps played a pivotal role in transforming the company from a UAE based family business into a global yacht and boat builder with an international footprint. During his tenure as CEO from 2009 to 2019, he oversaw a significant period of growth, expanding the company’s
workforce, global presence, and product portfolio across the leisure craft and superyacht segments.
Following his first chapter at Gulf Craft, Bamps held a senior executive position with a multinational brand in the marine and lifestyle industries, further deepening his experience across Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America. This global exposure has strengthened his strategic approach to
international brand development, commercial growth, and cross-market leadership.
A firm believer in staying connected to the production floor, Bamps has always embraced a hands-on management style – ensuring product development remains aligned with market needs while nurturing in-house talent and operational excellence.
Earlier in his career, Bamps held leadership roles in international sales, engineering, and operations across Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. He holds a Masters degree in Electronics Engineering, with a specialization in Telecommunications, from the Catholic University of Leuven (KUL),
Belgium.
Jo Assael joined the London office of IRI in 2023 as Yachts Commercial Director. Prior to joining IRI, Mr. Assael spent more than five years in yacht management at Döhle Yachts transitioning from Technical Director to Commercial Director responsible for managing the company’s growth. From 2013-2018 Jo worked for the Cayman Islands Shipping Registry as their Yacht Code Specialist and was heavily involved in drafting the Red Ensign Group’s Yacht Code while also conducting newbuild and in-service yacht surveys, inspections, and audits.
He previously served as a surveyor for the United Kingdom’s (UK’s) Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and served as a lead technical specialist representing the UK MCA at the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Before his time at the UK MCA, Mr Assael was a large yacht naval architect, working on projects ranging in size from 60 to 120m. Mr. Assael serves as a British Superyacht Ambassador in technical and regulatory affairs. He is a Chartered Engineer (CENG) with the Engineering Council and a member of the Royal Institute of Naval Architects (RINA). Mr. Assael has a degree in Naval Architecture from Solent University.
Julien is an Executive MBA graduate with an analytical mindset and a strong track record in results driven leadership. He is the CEO and Co-Founder of the EasylHolding Group, with Deasyl in Switzerland and EasylZinc in France, leading the development, scale up, and industrial deployment of innovative technologies in green chemistry and renewable energy storage.
With entrepreneurial experience and a clear focus on execution, Julien brings structured problem solving, strong communication, and collaborative leadership to support partnerships, commercialization, and industrial readiness, helping translate promising science into real world applications
Profession; Business Journalist, UHNW Commentator, Superyacht Industry Analyst and Chairman of one of the last independent Superyacht Media Players.
Career; Having left University in the late 80’s, disillusioned and frustrated by the world of education and not quite mature enough for a real job, I embarked on a voyage of discovery by applying for a job on a 90 foot sailing yacht based in Istanbul. This was my first step into the world of Superyachts and after this baptism I have never looked back.
Boredom soon set in and the square meters of teak deck and varnished tops sides that needed regular attention, were no longer my friends, so I returned to London in search of a career in the media. After learning the commercial ropes of publishing at a variety of media groups, a role became available in the 1989 to run the commercial operations of the then emerging Boat International Media Group. Having witnessed a market shift and predicted the growth that appeared on the horizon in the 90’s, I jumped ship and started my own business, The Superyacht Group. Some thirty plus years later I am still sailing a steady course at the helm of this dynamic and wonderful business that has the unstinting mission – of delivering excellent journalism, brilliant debates and powerful intelligence, all with the objective of “Building a Better Superyacht Market”.
What happens next is anyone’s guess, but I’m looking forward to it.
Nick Heyes is CEO of Digital Yacht who manufacture a range of marine navigation, sensors, communication, IOT and cloud products. Educated as an engineer, he has a background of 40 years in marine electronic technology and innovation.
Digital Yacht hold a Queen’s Award for Enterprise and have offices in UK, Europe and US. Digital Yacht also consistently win awards for innovation and product design. Using NMEA data, AI and cloud connectivity to enable analysis has become a focus for Digital Yacht who also have a firm emphasis on integrating modern consumer devices into boat systems regardless of brand.
Yousif began his career in the construction and contracting sector, where he gained practical experience in engineering, management, and accounting. He held various positions within the SS Lootah Group before establishing his own ventures. In 2010, he founded Lootah Biofuel, a bold and pioneering step as it was the first of its kind in the region.
He has received numerous local awards for his achievements in biofuel production and actively participates in conferences and seminars on biofuel production, circular economy, and youth-related issues.
He also founded the Institute of Applied Expertise, which aims to equip young people with knowledge and skills by integrating them into the workforce to gain practical experience.
Additionally, he contributed to the establishment of Tawaazon TV channel, headquartered in Dubai.
Yousif received his education in Dubai and studied aerospace engineering in Germany.
