Meet the Judges
Over the last 30 years Justin has been actively involved within the marine industry. From designer to yacht broker, journalist, boat tester and back to boat design he understands the industry, the clients and what it takes to design the best.
Justin guides a team of over 20 talented designers, naval architects and structural engineers on new projects and also innovating by investigating AI in design and hybrid, electric technologies.
As a judge of the SYUK designer competition he aims to inspire, mentor and enthuse young designers. It is one way Olesinski Ltd, as a studio, is able to give back, support and guide the next generation.
Winning the competition in 2019 opened the door to some great opportunities after I finished my degree. The placements I was offered with Olesinski and Pendennis gave me the invaluable experience of working in the industry. I was able to complete a project focused on designing a tender for M/Y Marala, which, at the time, was undergoing a refit at Pendennis. Following my placements, I wanted to pursue a career in yacht design, and started working at Princess Yachts in 2020. As part of the Surfacing Design team, I have worked on a variety of projects across the Princess fleet. You'll be able to see some of these at the show, including wetbars on the V50 and S72, but my work also ranges to other projects, like the flybridge helms on the Y80 and Y95.
Brought up in Devon by the sea, Douglas graduated from Solent University after studying yacht design. The first job in industry being with the eminent yacht design studio of John Munford. Working on various classically inspired projects on both new builds and classic yacht restorations. Furthering his career, he moved to work with Bill Dixon Naval Architects. Leading the interior design on various projects both custom and production designs. During this time a collaborative project between Bill’s office the newly formed Redman Whiteley Design lead him back to an interior focus on larger custom projects when asked to join RWD. Now after 27 years, Douglas has seen RWD grow to be one of the leading design studios in the superyacht industry. He enjoys mentoring the younger members of the team and passing on the design ethos of RWD formed over so many years.
Ewen has worked in the Marine Industry for 50 years now, almost 40 of which have been at Sunseeker International. He has been involved in the Styling, Design, Hull Design and Engineering to some extent or another of every Sunseeker Model launched between 1985 and today.
Ewen served an apprenticeship building timber fishing boats in the Scottish Borders in the 1970s before moving to the England’s South Coast and joining first Rival Bowman, then in 1985 Don Shead Ltd. It was there that Ewen began his career with Sunseekers, firstly as a Draughtsman, then Stylist, eventually heading up the in-house Design Team as Design Director. He specialises in exterior styling, hull design and overall concept development. Since 2020, Ewen has been CTO, responsible for the in-house Design and PMO Teams that are responsible for all Sunseekers New Product Development
Jeff has over 35 years’ experience working within the marine industry. He has a high-profile reputation in the international marina sector, particularly in the field of superyachts, and is a regular speaker at marina and superyacht conferences.
Jeff enjoyed a successful career as a professional yachtsman before becoming involved in the development and operation of marinas, eventually becoming Director of a major UK marina operator. He later became Sales & Marketing Director of a prestigious international marina organisation where he was responsible for business development. Whilst there, Jeff led the development and regeneration of the now very successful waterfront in Malta and the marina aspects of Port Ghalib on the Red Sea. Currently Senior Associate at Marina Projects Ltd, Jeff is working on some of the world’s most exciting marina projects in the Middle East
Henry is Design Director at Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding in Cornwall, UK and a member of the Operations Board that is responsible for the day-to-day running of the company.
At Cockwells, we design and build unique craft to our clients’ precise requirements, without compromise, and to Cockwells’ exacting standards. Whether it be a luxurious superyacht tender, bespoke motor launch or custom sailing yacht, the vessels we create are like no other and entirely personal. We are as passionate about the artisan skills of the shipwright as we are about cutting-edge advances in engineering and electronics.
As well as running the design department and liaising with our clients, Henry is involved in all aspects of bespoke yacht design from initial concept sketches through to detailed 3D CAD models and construction drawings for our skilled and experienced teams.
Together, we are driven to resolve the next design challenge, however insurmountable it may seem, and are motivated to embrace new technology and the most up-to-date build techniques in order to realise our clients’ dreams in every detail.