15 people proposed for detailed evaluation: general manager candidates first, then hybrid, then operations.
Each card shows the five scores with the line from the profile behind each one, the reading, and the career. The total is out of 200: commercial leadership 30, yacht network 20, technical understanding and pricing 20, business building 20, leadership maturity 10, each scored 0 to 2.
Reading. Ferretti Group chief commercial officer, managing director of Wally, executive director and board member of CRN and managing director of Ferretti Asia Pacific, all to Oct-Nov 2024; CRN board member since 2016. HKUST MBA. Since 2025 chairman of a refit-and-survey firm and of the Superyacht Life Foundation. The most senior commercial leader among the Italian alumni, and available.
Chief Executive Officer · POEM Srl. Nov 2024 – Present
Executive Chairman · The Superyacht Life Foundation Jan 2024 – Present
Advisor to the Board · The Superyacht Life Foundation Mar 2023 – Jan 2024
Chief Commercial Officer · Ferretti Group May 2014 – Nov 2024
Managing Director · Wally Yachts S.A. Jan 2019 – Oct 2024
Executive Director & Board Member · CRN YACHTS Feb 2016 – Oct 2024
Board Member · CRN YACHTS Jun 2014 – Jan 2016
and 6 earlier roles
Education
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology - School of Business and Management Master of Business Administration (MBA) · Specializing in Strategy and Entrepreneurship; University College London, U. of London Beng · Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering; International School of Milan
Languages
English · Native or bilingual proficiency, French · Elementary proficiency, Italian · Native or bilingual proficiency, Spanish · Elementary proficiency
Why on the shortlist. Benetti CCO, Azimut sales director, briefly Next Yacht CEO; independent since Dec 2025.
* Commercial leadership30%Chief Commercial Officer @ Benetti Yachts (to Mar 2025); Sales and Service Director EMEA & APAC @ Azimut Yachts
* Yacht network20%Commercial and Business Development Director @ Nautor's Swan (to Oct 2018)
* Technical and pricing20%Mechanical Engineer, Politecnico di Torino
* Business building20%Chief Executive Officer @ Next Yacht Group (to Sep 2025)
Leadership maturity10%No evidence in the profile.
Reading. Azimut sales and service director EMEA and APAC to Nov 2015, Nautor's Swan commercial and business development director to Oct 2018, chief commercial officer of Benetti to Mar 2025, CEO of NEXT Yacht Group to Sep 2025; independent since Dec 2025. Mechanical engineer, Politecnico di Torino. A commercial leader who has sold for the two Azimut-Benetti brands and run a yard group, and is available.
Career
Founder & Strategic Advisor · Elessargery Dec 2025 – Present
Luxury Yachting Executive | Strategy, Global Growth & Innovation | Strategic Advisor · Self-employed Sep 2025 – Dec 2025
Luxury Yachting Executive | Strategy, Global Growth & Innovation | Strategic Advisor · Sep 2025 – Dec 2025
Chief Executive Officer · Next Yacht Group Apr 2025 – Sep 2025
Chief Commercial Officer · Benetti Yachts Oct 2018 – Mar 2025
Commercial and Business Development Director · Nautor’s Swan (a brand of Nautor Holding Srl ) Dec 2015 – Oct 2018
Sales and Service Director EMEA & APAC · Azimut Yachts Sep 2013 – Nov 2015
Vice Chairman · Azimut China Oct 2011 – Oct 2013
and 7 earlier roles
Education
Politecnico di Torino Mechanical Engineer; Centro Politecnico Superior de Zaragoza
Languages
Inglese · Full professional proficiency, Italiano · Native or bilingual proficiency, Spagnolo
Why on the shortlist. Ex-Group CEO of Ferretti, ex-CEO of Riva, ten years president of Sanlorenzo's superyacht division; now CEO of a distribution subsidiary.
* Commercial leadership30%America Country Manager @ Ferretti Group (Sep 2009 – Jul 2012); CEO Riva SpA
* Yacht network20%General Manager & President Superyacht @ Sanlorenzo Yacht (Oct 2014 – May 2024)
* Technical and pricing20%Ten years running a steel and aluminium superyacht division: pricing and delivery sat with him
* Business building20%Group CEO @ Ferretti Group (Aug 2012 – May 2014)
Leadership maturity10%Builder of high-performing teams. Sound track record in delivering outstanding long-term industrial value creation
Reading. CEO of the group's Mediterranean distribution company since May 2024 after ten years as General Manager and President of the Superyacht division (2014-2024). Before: Group CEO of Ferretti (2012-2014), Ferretti America country manager, CEO of Riva (2005-2009), Permira investment manager, J.P. Morgan M&A; Bocconi summa cum laude. The most senior general manager on either list who is not an owner: has run a listed group, a brand and a 1,000-person superyacht division, and now sits in a smaller seat.
Career
Chief Executive Officer · Sanlorenzo MED May 2024 – Present
CEO Sanlorenzo MED · Sanlorenzo Yacht May 2024 – Present
General Manager & President Superyacht · Sanlorenzo Yacht Oct 2014 – May 2024
Chief Executive Officer · Sanlorenzo MED May 2024 – Present
Group CEO · Ferretti Group Aug 2012 – May 2014
America Country Manager · Ferretti Group Sep 2009 – Jul 2012
CEO Riva SpA · Ferretti Group Jun 2005 – Aug 2009
Investment Manager · Permira Apr 2001 – Aug 2005
and 2 earlier roles
Education
Università Bocconi 110/110 Summa cum laude · Business Administration
Why on the shortlist. General manager of ISA Yachts and Palumbo Superyachts since 2017; TISG sales and marketing director before.
* Commercial leadership30%Vice President of Sales @ The Italian Sea Group; Sales & Marketing Director (2012-2015)
* Yacht network20%President at The Italian Sea Group Americas
* Technical and pricing20%Nine years as general manager of a steel and aluminium yard: pricing and delivery sat with him
* Business building20%General Manager @ ISA YACHTS - PALUMBO SUPERYACHTS (Feb 2017 – Present)
Leadership maturity10%Head of Strategic Business Unit @ Natuzzi (2009-2012)
Reading. General manager since Feb 2017. Before: President of TISG Americas and Vice President of Sales, then Sales & Marketing Director of The Italian Sea Group (2012-2017); strategic business unit head and product manager at Natuzzi (furniture); MBA. A sales-and-marketing executive who became a yard general manager and has held the seat nine years, beside a second general manager appointed in Nov 2025.
Career
General Manager · Isa Yachts - Palumbo Superyachts Feb 2017 – Present
General Manager · Palumbo SuperYachts Feb 2017 – Present
President at The Italian Sea Group Americas, Inc. · The Italian Sea Group Sep 2015 – Jan 2017
Vice President of Sales · The Italian Sea Group Oct 2012 – Sep 2015
Sales & Marketing Director · The Italian Sea Group Feb 2009 – Oct 2012
Head of Strategic Business Unit · Natuzzi Sep 2006 – Jan 2009
Product Manager · Natuzzi Jun 2003 – Aug 2006
Assistant to Executive Director & Junior Product Manager · Natuzzi Jun 2002 – May 2003
and 2 earlier roles
Education
MBA - Master in Business Administration Business School of Economics - CIS; Master's Degree in Law University of Bari (BA) · Italy
Why on the shortlist. Seventeen years selling Amels, then Moonen commercial director; independent since 2024.
* Commercial leadership30%Commercial Director @ Moonen Yachts (to Aug 2024); Sales and Marketing Manager @ Amels B.V. (2004-2021)
* Yacht network20%Head of Marketing @ Damen Yachting (to Mar 2021); Superyacht Broker @ dahm international
* Technical and pricing20%HND Engineering, Yacht Manufacturing, Solent University
* Business building20%Commercial Director + share holder @ Holland Jachtbouw BV (to Apr 2003)
Leadership maturity10%No evidence in the profile.
Reading. Commercial director of Moonen to Aug 2024; head of marketing at Damen Yachting to Mar 2021 after seventeen years as sales and marketing manager of Amels (2004-2021); commercial director and shareholder of Holland Jachtbouw before, superyacht broker at Dahm in the 1990s. Yacht-manufacturing HND (Solent). The longest-serving seller of Dutch superyachts in the alumni set; independent since Sep 2024.
Career
Eigenaar · Victor Caminada B.V. Sep 2024 – Present
Commercial Director · Moonen Yachts Sep 2021 – Aug 2024
Head of Markering · Damen Yachting May 2004 – Mar 2021
Sales and Markering Manager · Amels B.V. Apr 2003 – May 2004
Commercial Director + share holder · Holland Jachtbouw BV Oct 1999 – Apr 2003
Superyacht Broker · dahm international Spain S.L. May 1997 – Aug 1999
Education
Solent University HND Engineering · Yacht Manufacturing Technology and Marine Industry Management; Fachhochschule Dortmund Diplm-Betriebswirt · Internationale Betriebswirtschaft; Hogeschool van Amsterdam BA (Hons) Double Degree, Int. Management. · International Business
Leadership maturity10%Group-level commercial director of a listed builder; MBA
Reading. CEO of Absolute since Jan 2026 after 13 years at Ferretti: brand manager 2012, regional director 2018, sales and marketing director, then group commercial director to Dec 2025. SDA Bocconi MBA; Tenaris and Rizzani de Eccher before yachting. A serial-yacht commercial leader who has just taken a top seat.
Career
Amministratore delegato · Absolute Yachts SPA Jan 2026 – Present
Direttore Commerciale · Ferretti Group Jan 2019 – Dec 2025
Sales and Marketing Director · Ferretti Group Jan 2019 – Dec 2025
Regional Director · Ferretti Group Oct 2012 – Dec 2018
Brand Manager · Ferretti Group Jun 2006 – Oct 2012
* Technical and pricing20%Vice President Operations - Superyacht @ Sanlorenzo Yacht (2021-2023)
* Business building20%Chief Executive Officer @ NEXT Yacht Group (to Nov 2023)
Leadership maturity10%Two yard CEO seats and three group VP seats since 2010
Reading. CEO of CRN 2010-2017, industrial director for large yachts at Azimut-Benetti 2017-2019, vice president sales of Sanlorenzo's yacht division 2019-2021 and vice president operations superyachts 2021-2023, then CEO of NEXT Yacht Group (Maiora, AB, CBI Navi) to Nov 2023. Mechanical engineer, Pisa. Consultant since Dec 2023. The one Italian alumnus who has held both the top sales seat and the top operations seat at a superyacht builder and run two yards; probably around 60.
Career
Consultant · Self-employed Dec 2023 – Present
Consultant · Dec 2023 – Present
Chief Executive Officer · NEXT Yacht Group Aug 2021 – Nov 2023
Vice President Operations - Superyacht Dision · Sanlorenzo Yacht Sep 2019 – Aug 2021
Vice President Sales - Yacht Division · Sanlorenzo Yacht Apr 2019 – Aug 2019
Consultant in Shipbuilding Industry · Owned and Operated Company Jan 2018 – Aug 2019
Direttore Industriale imbarcazioni >100' · Azimut-Benetti Nov 2010 – Nov 2017
Chief Executive Officer · CRN SpA Oct 2005 – Oct 2010
and 2 earlier roles
Education
Università di Pisa Degree · Mechanical Engineering
* Yacht network20%Forty years across Heesen, Jongert and RMK Marine
* Technical and pricing20%Chief Operating Officer @ Heesen Yachts (to Jan 2026)
* Business building20%General Manager @ Heesen Yachts (1986-2006); Yacht Division Director @ RMK Marine (to May 2014)
Leadership maturity10%No evidence in the profile.
Reading. General manager of Heesen 1986-2006, technical and commercial director of Jongert, operations director of a dispensing-systems maker, then Yacht Division Director of RMK Marine in Istanbul to May 2014, his own marine firm, and chief operating officer of Heesen until Jan 2026. The one Dutch operations leader who has already run RMK Marine's yacht division; likely over 60.
Career
Founder · Fossani V.O.F. Feb 2026 – Present
Chief Operating Officer · Heesen Yachts Mar 2015 – Jan 2026
Owner/ International Operations Director · Fossa Marine 2008 – Mar 2015
Yacht Division Director · RMK Marine Jun 2011 – May 2014
Why on the shortlist. Azimut-Benetti technical director turned Sanlorenzo and Monte Carlo Yachts commercial director; now head of sales, Maiora.
* Commercial leadership30%DIRETTORE COMMERCIALE (GRP DIVISION) @ SANLORENZO SPA (May 2012 – Apr 2015); Sales Director @ MONTE CARLO YACHTS
* Yacht network20%Brokerage Director @ SANLORENZO SPA; Head of Sales @ Maiora - Next Yacht Group (Sep 2024 – Present)
* Technical and pricing20%DIRETTORE TECNICO E RESPONSABILE REPARTO PROTOTIPI @ Azimut-Benetti (2007 – Jun 2011)
* Business building20%AFTER SALES MANAGER @ Azimut-Benetti (2001 – 2007)
Leadership maturity10%Director-level seats since 2007 at three groups
Reading. Head of Sales for the Maiora brand since Sep 2024 (no link to the page; read from the role row). Naval and mechanical engineer (Genoa, with honours) who went after-sales manager and then Technical Director at Azimut-Benetti (2001-2011), brokerage director and Commercial Director of the GRP division at Sanlorenzo (2011-2015), Sales Director at Monte Carlo Yachts (2015-2018). The technical-to-commercial hybrid the brief describes, with director-level seats at three Italian groups; no general-management seat yet.
Career
Head of Sales · Maiora - Next Yacht Group Sep 2024 – Present
Sales Director · So.co.mar. - Costruzıonı Rıparazıonı Meccanıche E Navalı Socıeta A Responsabılıta Lımıtata Sep 2018 – Present
Sales Director · MONTE CARLO YACHTS S.p.A. Apr 2015 – Aug 2018
* Technical and pricing20%University of Genoa Naval Architect · Ingegneria navale; Technical Superintendent, Site NewBuilding Manager
* Business building20%Direttore generale @ The Italian Sea Group S.p.A (Jan 2013 – Oct 2023)
Leadership maturity10%Ten years as general manager of a listed group through its IPO years
Reading. General manager of Palumbo Superyachts since Nov 2025 (and newbuild director at the sister yard San Giorgio del Porto since 2023) after ten years as general manager of The Italian Sea Group (2013-2023). Naval architect (Genoa, Turin) who was a commercial technical manager and R&D director before the first GM seat. Two yard general-manager seats in a row; technical root, commercial exposure as technical manager, no pure sales seat.
Career
Direttore generale · Palumbo SuperYachts Nov 2025 – Present
Direttore Nuove Costruzioni · San Giorgio del Porto S.p.A. Aug 2023 – Present
Direttore generale · The Italian Sea Group S.p.A Jan 2013 – Oct 2023
* Technical and pricing20%Sen. Project Manager @ Oceanco (Sep 2007 – Present); Project Manager @ Feadship, kon de Vries (Aug 1998 – Aug 2007)
* Business building20%No evidence in the profile.
Leadership maturity10%28 years at two of the top full-custom yards
Reading. Sales Director since 2020 after sales manager from 2015 and senior project manager from 2007; Feadship (De Vries) project manager 1998-2007. Seventeen years of project management under the sales seat: the hybrid the brief asks for, at director level, selling 80 m plus full-custom yachts.
Career
Sales Director · Oceanco Jan 2020 – Present
Sales Manager · Oceanco Apr 2015 – Present
Sen. Project Manager · Oceanco Sep 2007 – Present
Project Manager · Feadship, kon de Vries Aug 1998 – Aug 2007
* Technical and pricing20%Chief Operations Officer @ The Italian Sea Group (to Jun 2021); Production Director @ TISG
* Business building20%Turkey Chief Operations Officer @ The Italian Sea Group (to Mar 2025)
Leadership maturity10%Direttore Generale Operations @ Nuovi Cantieri Apuania
Reading. Plant director and then general director operations at Nuovi Cantieri Apuania to 2013, CEO of CRN 2013-2015, TISG production director to 2019, TISG chief operations officer to Jun 2021, then chief operations officer of TISG's Turkish operation to Mar 2025. Naval engineer, Naples. The one Italian operations chief who has already run a yacht-building operation in Turkey; probably over 60.
Career
Ingegnere navale · Self-employed Mar 2025 – Present
Ingegnere navale · Mar 2025 – Present
Turkey Chief Operations Officer - The Italian Sea Group S.p.A. · The Italian Sea Group S.p.A Jul 2021 – Mar 2025
Chief Operations Officer - The Italian Sea Group S.p.A. · The Italian Sea Group S.p.A Jun 2019 – Jun 2021
Production Director - The Italian Sea Group S.p.A. · The Italian Sea Group S.p.A Aug 2015 – May 2019
Leadership maturity10%Laurea Magistrale, Accademia Navale; 20 years at CRN, Benetti, Perini
Reading. General manager of the group's refit yards since Sep 2024; Benetti custom operations director and head of engineering 2018-2024, CRN head of engineering and project manager 2006-2018, Perini Navi project manager. Naval Academy engineer. The most complete technical-operations leader among Italian alumni.
Career
General Manager · Lusben Refitting Yards Sep 2024 – Present
Custom Operations Director · Benetti Yachts Nov 2020 – Aug 2024
Head of Engineering Department · Benetti Yachts Mar 2018 – Nov 2020
Head of Engineering Department · CRN YACHTS Jan 2013 – Mar 2018
Project Manager · CRN YACHTS Jul 2006 – Dec 2012
Project Manager · Perını Navı Socıeta Per Azıonı Jun 2002 – Jul 2006
Warranty Manager · Cantiere F.lli Orlando Mar 2001 – Jun 2002
Chief Engineer · Marina Militare Apr 1994 – Jun 2000
Education
Accademia Navale Laurea Magistrale in Ingegneria Navale e Meccanica; Università degli Studi di Genova Laurea Magistrale in Ingegneria Navale e Meccanica
Reading. Technical Director since Oct 2022; CEO and managing director of Cantiere del Pardo 2011-2014, Azimut operations director and product and process development director before, chief engineer from 2001; additive-manufacturing founder and lean operations executive in between; aerospace engineer. A technical leader who has held a yard CEO seat.
Career
Technical Director · Azimut Yachts Oct 2022 – Present
Founding partner · SPEM, Additive Manufacturing Company Jun 2018 – Dec 2022
Operations Executive and Lean Business Organization · ELLENA S.P.A. Mar 2014 – Oct 2022
CEO - Managing Director w/ Operations · Cantiere del Pardo Holdings s.r.l. Oct 2011 – Mar 2014
Operations Director Motorcruiser · Azimut Yachts May 2010 – Sep 2011
Product & Process development Director Azimut MC · Azimut Yachts 2008 – Jun 2010
Chief engineer Azimut Yachts MC · Azimut Yachts Jan 2001 – Dec 2007
Engineer Azimut Yachts MC · Azimut Yachts Nov 1999 – Dec 2000
Education
Politecnico di Torino Master of Science (MSc) · aerospace engineering; Facoltà di Economia e Commercio Master · Marketing and communications
Languages
Francese · Elementary proficiency, Inglese · Full professional proficiency
Why on the shortlist. Director of design, development and engineering since 2007 at a Dutch 50 to 80 m yard; TU Delft naval architect.
* Commercial leadership30%End responsible for pre-design, design, cost acounting and the full engineering process from prospect phase till delivery
* Yacht network20%No evidence in the profile.
* Technical and pricing20%General Manager Design & Development and Engineering @ Heesen Yachts (Sep 2007 – Present)
* Business building20%Managing 5 departments
Leadership maturity10%19 years in one seat through several owners and CEOs
Reading. End responsible for pre-design, design, cost accounting and engineering of 50-80 m yachts since 2007, five departments; TU Delft naval architect, Oceanco project manager before. The strongest technical seat on this roster and a natural COO half of a two-person model.
Career
Director Design & Development / Engineering · Heesen Yachts Jan 2026 – Present
General Manager Design & Development and Engineering · Heesen Yachts Sep 2007 – Present
Project Manager · Expertise en InnovatieCentrum Binnenvaart (EICB) Sep 2006 – Aug 2007
Project Manager · Oceanco Mar 2000 – Aug 2006
Project coordinator/engineer · Van der Giessen-de Noord May 1994 – Feb 2000
Medewerker Research · Damen Shipyards May 1993 – May 1994
Education
Delft University of Technology Master’s Degree · Martime Technology; Citycollege Rotterdam; TU Delft Master's Degree · Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
