The quick answer is ‘No’, but there are many areas in superyachting where stability is returning and for businesses, having the ability to predict the future to some degree is particularly valuable.  In the meantime, adaptability and flexibility in your business operations and how you serve the needs of your clients will remain especially important.

For industry associations, such as Superyacht UK (SYUK), delivering value to their members and supporting them through uncertain times is as important as ever.  Through 2022 the team at SYUK have been looking at how best to utilise the resources of British Marine (the trade association for the UK leisure, superyacht and small commercial marine industry, including SYUK).  As we start to get to grips with 2023 we felt it would be useful to share some of the plans we have to help increase clarity of outlook for the coming year.

Our starting point has been the member survey that we commissioned at the end of 2021 the results of which were published in early 2022.  One key element of this was to address the question of what our members wanted from their SYUK.  The top three answers were:

·       Promote the UK Superyacht Sector overseas
·       Showcase UK Innovation
·       Provide regular communications and updates on industry issues

In order to deliver in these action areas, there are a number of activities or programmes that will be running in the year.

Media Presence

Building on the steps we took in 2021 we will be seeking to build our media presence by publishing features across a variety of channels, including marine media and online platforms.   These features will aim to raise awareness on specific topics, provide in-depth features on projects, technology and innovations as well as a number of opinion pieces where we will be creating a platform for our members to weigh in on burning issues that they are especially passionate about.

Supporting that will be an enhanced presence across social media, with a core focus on LinkedIn and we will also be reviving our SYUK Newsletter to feature member stories and achievements.

Designers and Engineers

Superyacht UK has many successful and well-known members who are responsible for some of the most remarkable vessels in service and in build today.  As a whole, the UK sector has a seemingly disproportionate quantity of talent.  Superyacht UK has been supporting and encouraging future designers with the annual Young Designer Award and in 2023 we plan to add a new Engineering Prize to this, targeting third-year and Masters engineering students.

Alongside this, the Superyacht UK Annual Technical Seminars will take place in London this year on the 18th May, placing this popular event right at St Katherine Docks during the Luxury London Afloat showcase in the heart of London. Our Technical Committee are putting the final touches to the programme and we will announce this in due course, but alongside regulatory updates and revisions to the Yacht Code, there will be presentations and panels looking at fuelling and powering options to improve the sustainability profile of yacht operation as well as case studies and evaluations of the lifecycle impact of yachts.

Supporting Members

Not forgetting that Superyacht UK is a part of British Marine, the utilisation of available resources and capabilities is a focus area for 2023.  Members can add their voice to the messaging we can deliver right into Government and other regulators as well as access detailed information and advice on topics including Export, Marketing, Legal affairs, Market Trends and Industry Statistics.

But it isn’t all vertical, Superyacht UK will provide a number of networking events throughout the year, in various locations, where members can strengthen relationships and make new connections.  Not just networking, but directly promoting our members: The Member Showcase at the Monaco Yacht Show is well established and provides a useful pied-a-terre for companies wishing to deploy valuable resources elsewhere, that might otherwise be consumed if they were to mount a standalone presence
In years gone by SYUK has presented trade and journalist missions were visitors from overseas are brought to the UK and get to tour many members’ facilities.  Our aim is to find a way to bring this valuable part of our showcasing activity back to the fore and further spread the word of all the great work that is being done here in the UK.

…and Finally

As with all industry associations, the value that Superyacht UK can bring grows with our membership.  Each quarter we gain new members and our position as the representative body for the UK superyacht sector continues.  We would like to urge all members to look out for an enhanced presence online and to take the opportunity to share and follow as appropriate.  The message to previous members and to any UK businesses in the superyacht sector;  maybe 2023 is the year where you decide that this is the moment to (re)engage?  We look forward to hearing from you.

Profile links

Superyacht UK

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