• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

GMBA

Global Marine Business Advisors

MENUMENU
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Our Services
  • Our Team
        • Albert Willemsen
        • Björn Ingemanson
        • Boris Miškić
        • David Lewin
        • Dr Jouko Huju, DBA
        • Dr Thomas Dammrich, DBA
        • George B. Bellwoar
        • Godfrey Zwygart
        • Goetz-Ulf Jungmichel
        • Jean-Michel Gaigné, CMM
        • Kai Malmivaara
        • Knut Heiberg-Andersen
        • Lorenzo Pollicardo
        • MaryAnne Edwards
        • Oscar Siches, CMP
        • Piotr Jasionowski
        • Veda Pretorius
        • Yavuz Sipahi
        • YP Loke
  • Media Supporters
  • Insights & News
        • Insights & News
        • Press Releases
  • Contact Us

Conference management

Godfrey Zwygart

CHINA AND ASIA

  • +86 188 0899 8617
  • godfrey.zwygart@gmba.blue

Experience

Frenchman Godfrey Zwygart is a former captain and chief engineer who spent decades in Taiwan, Hong Kong and China. Originally trained in the French Naval Academy he served on both navy and merchant ships and as captain on mega yachts. He moved to Asia in the 80’s as a boat builder in Taiwan, and now specializes in development, management and marketing of world class international yacht marinas and yacht clubs.

 

In 2010 Zwygart moved to Sanya to build and act as general manager operations of the multi-awards winning Sanya Serenity Marina. The 5 gold anchors platinum marina has been a host twice for the Volvo Ocean Race, as well as the Clipper Race and the youth world sailing championships.

 

Zwygart then established Marevisio Co Limited, aiming to help marinas and super yachts brands in the Asian region through management consultancy, training, and services. Zwygart has published two books as well as a large number of articles in Chinese and he is a prominent figure in China’s yachting and marine industry.

 

As foreign expert for the Hainan government, he collaborates with the local government on the development of the Hainan free trade port.

 

Zwygart is fluent in French, English, Italian and Chinese.

Regional Expertise

China and Asia

Recent Insights

An Overview Of China Yacht Marinas

Read More »

Yacht Fires | Godfrey Zwygart, GMBA China & Asia

Read More »

Boris Miškić

Croatia, Montenegro

  • +385 91 126 4461
  • boris.miskic@gmba.blue

Experience

Boris has spent his entire working life in the nautical business, starting as the manager in a charter company. During the intensive growth in the country, which in 2010 officially hosted a third of the world’s charter fleet, the NCP charter has developed and become the leading Croatian charter company.

 

By moving to a commercial shipyard as the commercial – technical director, he participated in the transformation from an exclusively naval shipyard into a shipyard specializing in the repair and the maintenance of superyachts.

 

Boris is also a co-owner of a travel agency specialized in the organization of tailor-made events at sea, nautical team building programmes and sailing regattas. As the director of the project for the development of the first Croatian marina for mega yachts, the Mandalina marina in Šibenik, and as its first director, he introduced new standards and elements in the design of marinas in Croatia.

 

Since 2005, Boris has been leading an experienced team in marina development, from producing pontoons, marina designs, project management and oversight of the installation of new recreational marinas. He has participated in over 120 marina projects, from development, construction, expansion and even the reconstruction of ports and marinas, in over 14 Mediterranean countries.

 

Boris is a licensed Yacht-Master, sailing instructor and sailing referee.

Regional Expertise

Croatia, Montenegro

Recent Insights

Boom in Eastern Mediterranean Marinas

Read More »

Yacht Charter in Croatia – Post-Covid Time | Boris Miškić, GMBA-Croatia

Read More »

2021 Brings Positive Results for the Croatia Marine Industry | Boris Miškić, GMBA-Croatia

Read More »

GMBA further expands global reach and capability with appointment in Croatia

Read More »

Goetz-Ulf Jungmichel

GERMANY

  • +49 172 6324178
  • g.jungmichel@gmba.blue

Experience

Goetz Jungmichel is a highly experienced and dedicated leader with a passion for ensuring organizations stay viable into the future without losing touch with their heritage. He is respected for his hands-on, can-do attitude. Demanding and supportive with a proven track record of building and maintaining organizations and trusted networks to achieve the most beneficial results.

 

Involved in the maritime industry for almost 15 years, Jungmichel is a renowned expert and savvy networker. His mission is always to bring all parties together, promote successful business relationships and still retain their uniqueness.

 

Understanding the needs of the maritime industry on how to run business in an ever more global and digitalized world, Jungmichel is convinced that a clear strategic corporate focus is crucial for economic success.

 

Offering all his expertise in various fields of business operations he joined GMBA to support one of the most appealing industries. It is all about passion!

Being a water sports enthusiast himself, he practices sailing, enjoys motor boating, practices SUP, Windsurfing and Scuba Diving.

Regional Expertise

Germany

Recent Insights

GMBA Representative appointed as Secretary General of IFBSO

Read More »

Knut Heiberg-Andersen

NORWAY

  • +46 70 675 65 20
  • knut.heiberg-andersen@gmba.blue

Experience

As a young International Management Trainee in a large cement and building material conglomerate, Knut was invited to manage one of their subsidiaries, FJORD PLAST AS, which at the time was one of the largest boat industries in Europe. 

 

Little did Knut know that this would be his lifetime engagement and passion.

 

After running their operations in the Philippines for a number of years, Knut moved on to become the Managing Director of the Fjord Company and on behalf of Norcem AS, sold it to an outside group.

 

Eight years later a close friend asked Knut to help with WINDY & DRACO,  a project estimated to take  2- 3 years to complete. This “project” has lasted since 1990 and the name of WINDY is today synonymous with the very best of Scandinavian quality.

 

Knut steered WINDY Through exciting and challenging times with a team of the most competent and passionate co-workers and has left a legacy of respect for conduct and “inside-out-quality” which only the few have had the pleasure of experiencing.  Over the years Knut offered his time and services to national marine associations as well as contributing to the European marine organization we have today.

 

Over the years Knut has offered his time and services to national marine associations as well as contributing to the European marine organization we have today.

 

After 29 years at the helm of WINDY BOATS AS, Knut is now overseeing the development of his life-long passion, WINDY, as Chairman and Mentor.

Regional expertise:

Regional Expertise

Norway

Recent Insights

Meet the Team: Knut Heiberg- Andersen

Read More »

Supply chain challenges continue….. Key Scandinavian builders are severely affected

Read More »

Norwegian Council for Sea Rescue – Zero-Vision Plan | Knut Heiberg Andersen, GMBA – Norway

Read More »
Jack Felon

Rising Stars of our Industry

Read More »

Björn Ingemanson

SWEDEN

  • +46 70 675 65 20
  • bjorn.ingemanson@gmba.blue

Experience

Björn has worked in the global marine industry between 2012-2020 as the President & CEO for Volvo Penta, a Swedish based global engine- and propulsion supplier active in more than 140 countries. Volvo Penta develops engines, systems and drives suitable for boats in the range from 18 feet all the way up to yachts around 130 feet and supply OEM’s and projects both in the leisure marine market as well as for the commercial market. During his years at the helm of Penta the business almost doubled in revenues with increased profitability.

 

Before that Björn has an extensive leadership experience from the Volvo Group with different leading positions at Volvo Trucks, Volvo Financial Services and Volvo Cars. Björn has a broad international back ground and has also lived three years in Tokyo, Japan.

 

After leaving Volvo Penta Björn is focusing on advisory roles and projects both in the marine industry and in other global companies and also serves as a Certified Board Member for several Swedish companies.

 

Björn is an experienced boater since 40 years and has been involved both in several sailing events, such as the Volvo Ocean Race as well as been active in the Swedish Coast Artillery educated as a Commander of a Patrol boat during his military service.

Regional Expertise

Sweden

Recent Insights

Tailwind in the Swedish Boating Market | Björn Ingemanson, GMBA – Sweden

Read More »
Johan Volvo Penta

Is electric propulsion the future in boating? | Björn Ingemanson, GMBA-Sweden

Read More »

GMBA brings in significant corporate experience to expand reach and capability

Read More »

Veda Pretorius

SOUTH AFRICA

  • +27 82 975 1156
  • veda.pretorius@gmba.blue

Experience

Veda has served the South African marine sector in many facets – some unique to the country and others, echoed in marine sectors globally. She successfully navigated the many challenges faced by the rainbow nation so uniquely diverse as South Africa, and was able to consolidate the leisure marine industry into a coherent and multi-faceted organisation. During her ground-breaking tenure as the first female Managing Director of the South African Boatbuilding Export Council, she acquired knowledge and experience that puts her in an excellent position to offer guidance and advice to companies with local or international needs.

 

Among Veda’s many achievements count the creation of an industry accreditation system, successfully managing exporter development programmes, facilitating South African membership of international industry associations and establishing the national marine industry association, Boating SA (formerly MIASA).

 

An individual that values contribution, Veda has served as a board member and consultant for various non profits. She is presently involved with The Little Optimist Trust, winner of the METS Dame Charity Award 2019, a charity focused on bringing OPTIMISM to children all over South Africa.

Regional Expertise

South Africa

Recent Insights

Skye Advance Africa – pushing the boundaries in the African workboat sector

Read More »

South African Boatbuilders gather again after 2-year hiatus to celebrate excellence | Veda Pretorius, GMBA South Africa

Read More »

Women in the Marine Sector – Northern Hemisphere – Interview Series 2021 Part 2 | Veda Pretorius, GMBA South Africa

Read More »

Women in the Marine Sector – Northern Hemisphere – Interview Series 2021 Part 1 | Veda Pretorius, GMBA South Africa

Read More »

South African women staying the course, and leading by example (Part 2) | Veda Pretorius, GMBA South Africa

Read More »

South African women staying the course, and leading by example | Veda Pretorius, GMBA South Africa

Read More »

YP Loke

SINGAPORE

  • +65 9736 1819
  • yp.loke@gmba.blue

Experience

YP Loke is Managing Director of Singapore-based Spinnaker International, a company specialising in technical and advisory services in the recreational marine sector. He is the chairman of the Singapore Boating Industry Association, and a council member on the Singapore MPA (Maritime Port Authority) convened National Maritime Safety at Sea Council (NMSSC). He is a Singapore Tourism Conference Ambassador for the boating sector.

 

YP is also member of the ICOMIA Marinas Group IMG), and until recently was an ICOMIA vice-president. He is an honorary member of the Hong Kong based Asia-Pacific Superyacht Association (APSA). On the recreational front YP is Vice-President on the General Committee of Raffles Marina, Singapore.

 

YP graduated in Naval Architecture from the Southampton Institute, UK, and is a CMM (Certified Marina Manager). He also holds an MBA from the Cranfield School of Management, Cranfield University, UK. He was Asia-Pacific Boating Magazine’s Person of the Year in 2012. He writes the occasional commentary on the state of the boating industry for various boating publications and has been a speaker at several marina and boating conferences worldwide.

Regional Expertise

Singapore and Asia Pacific

Recent Insights

Elitism is killing boating in Asia | YP Loke, GMBA – Singapore

Read More »

Interview – Meet the Team | YP Loke, GMBA – Singapore

Read More »
Royal Albatross Tall Ship

Maritime Heritage – A Singaporean context | YP Loke, GMBA Singapore

Read More »

The Development of Recreational Boating in Sri Lanka | YP Loke, GMBA Singapore

Read More »
A Letter from Singapore GMBA

Letter from Singapore | YP Loke, GMBA Singapore

Read More »

How to Keep Boating in Singapore Safe and Accessible

Read More »

Dr Jouko Huju, DBA

FINLAND
  • +358 40 5509310
  • jouko.huju@gmba.blue

Experience

Jouko has worked all his career in export promotion and international trade, both in private and public sectors. He served at FINNBOAT (Finnish Marine Industries Federation) for over 20 years in various capacities including that of CEO and later, as Chairman. His passion for industry development, exports and international relations led him to ICOMIA (International Council of Marine Industry Associations) where he was a board member for 14 years. He was actively involved in the establishment of European Boating Industry (EBI) and the KV- Foorum, a public- private partnership to foster dialogue and promote cooperation in the export sector. He has served as Board member and Chairman of numerous organisations including, but not limited to ICOMIA, IMCI, FINNBOAT and KV-Foorum.

 

He believes in both work-based-learning and lifelong-learning, completing an English MBA program and straight after that also a DrBA program. After 6 years of studying alongside work he wrote a thesis on: “Navigating New routes to Lobbying in Brussels – A Research on European Boating Industry”.

 

Jouko is fluent in Finnish, Swedish, English and German.

Regional Expertise

Jouko is a born Finn but has worked extensively in Sweden, Norway and the Central European Countries

Recent Insights

GMBA Finland’s Jouko Huju talks to Anders Kurtén, CEO of Baltic Yachts about the importance of sustainability

Read More »

Marine Industry organisations and companies: Make sure that your board is correctly motivated | Dr Jouko Huju, GMBA – Finland

Read More »

Meet the Team

Read More »

Global Marine Export Advisors Appoints Representative in China

Read More »

The Perception of Country-Specific Risk in the Marine Industry Related to Finland has Changed – But What is the Reality? | Dr Jouko Huju, DBA, GMBA Finland

Read More »

Travel, experience, learn and apply (if needed) | Dr Jouko Huju, DBA, GMBA Finland

Read More »
  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to Next Page »

Footer

About Us

Global Marine Business Advisors is a group of 19 marine industry experienced professional, located on five continents and nineteen countries. The key focus for GMBA is to provide support for marine industry businesses across a variety of disciplines and sectors.

Contact Info

Consultants:

You are welcome to email any of our consultants directly.

General Enquiries:

  • info@gmba.blue
  • Niittaajankatu 6 C 78, FI-00810 Helsinki

© 2022 GMBA | Global Marine Business Advisors · All rights reserved · Website by Terri Love Designs
  • About us
  • Our Services
  • Our Team
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advisor Login