Following the vision for future growth outlined by chairman Mohammed H. Alshaali, Gulf Craft has progressed the comprehensive management restructuring. Abeer Alshaali takes the helm as acting CEO. Other appointments within the executive management see Nizar Tagi appointed as CCO and Paul Gray as COO. As part of the restructuring, which comes in the wake of Gregory Yeakle’s role as CEO being absorbed by the chairman in mid-2019, Noti Menelaou has stepped down as vice president of sales after almost two decades with the company.

Chairman Mohammed Alshaali has been leading these changes and more as part of a future development strategy that will see the shipyard expand into new markets. “The shipyard has to grow efficiently,” comments Alshaali. “Following our debut in the US market in late 2019 and our aggressive development plan, we are empowering the shipyard through a team of experts who are able to solidify the new wave of yachting.”

Abeer Alshaali, CEO of Gulf Craft

Abeer Alshaali assumes the role of CEO after holding the position of executive management officer for almost six years. Alshaali joined Gulf Craft in the executive office handling company management alongside her father. In her role she implemented new processes to improve company structure and efficiency.

“It’s a huge honour for me to take such an important job in a company that has been an integral part of my life since I was young. My objective is to maintain the progress made in recent years and capitalise on substantial growth opportunities in the industry,” says Alshaali.

Paul Gray, COO of Gulf Craft

Paul Gray will lead the operational side of the business acting as COO. “I’m privileged to have been given the opportunity of drawing on my extensive experiences from other leading shipyards to ensure that Gulf Craft’s business model maximises efficiency and growth in the practicality, functionality and quality of the wide product range,” explains Gray.

Nizar Tagi, CCO of Gulf Craft

Nizar Tagi directs the sales and marketing departments with responsibility for the commercial strategy, including business development, strategic alliances, distributions channel optimisation and product development. “This is an exciting time in the long history of Gulf Craft and I am honoured to be part of it. I’m proud to be given the responsibility for driving forward sales in a competitive industry that offers huge scope for new business opportunities,” comments Tagi.

According to The Superyacht Agency, since delivering its first superyacht in 2002, Gulf Craft has delivered a total of 51 30m-plus vessels, representing an average of 2.8 deliveries per year. Recent history, however, has seen the yard deliver significantly more projects year on year. Indeed, since 2012 the yard has delivered an average of 5.9 vessels per year, peaking at eight deliveries in 2017 and, if the order book proves to be accurate, we can expect a record equalling year in 2020.

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