• 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

Exporter Development

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 »

Yavuz Sipahi

Yavuz Sipahi

TURKEY

  • +90 532 236 89 15
  • yavuz.sipahi@gmba.blue

Experience

Yavuz Sipahi started his illustrious career in the marine sector 52 years ago with a solid career in the Turkish Navy, retiring from active service as a staff commander in 1984.

 

He started his first boatbuilding firm in the Bodrum region, focusing mainly on the ever popular Turkish gullets. The company expanded to component manufacturing, yacht maintenance and refurbishment projects.

 

He joined Atakoy Marina in İstanbul as Technical Manager in 1989 where he was able to get first hand experience of marina management and maintenance. Always eager to take on new challenegs, he later left to join BURLA group where he was the General Manager for the Marine Division until his retirement in mid- 2020.

 

He has been an active part of numerous local and international industry bodies, and has served as board member and President on a number of occasions. His experience includes years of service in DENTUR /YATED, YATEF, ADF, DDD, DTO, TRYIAD in Turkey, ICOMIA.

 

Yavuz is excited about the myriad opportunities in the marine sector and looks forward to sharing his knowledge and expertise with the next generation of business and industry leaders.

Regional Expertise

Turkey

Recent Insights

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 »

David Lewin

United Kingdom

  • +44 7767 687 987
  • david.lewin@gmba.blue

Experience

After 14 years in the fashion clothing industry where he trained in Germany as a production engineer, David started his own business producing protective sports clothing for sailing, country sports and skiing. Having sold it after 17 years he spent 9 years running a mail-order and internet based marine retail business. Thereafter he bought into a marine and specialist paint manufacturing company whilst consulting for various electronics companies developing MOB systems and also for a major German lifejacket manufacturer. Latterly he has been developing the UK market for a large French boat interior furniture producer.

 

Whilst doing this, he worked his way through various committees to become President of the British Marine Federation (rebranded to simply “British Marine” in 2015), Vice Chairman of National Boat Shows, Vice Chairman of ICOMIA and a Council Member of the RYA.

 

He has now worked in the marine industry for nearly 40 years.

Regional Expertise

United Kingdom

Recent Insights

Sustainability – the real story | David Lewin, GMBA – United Kingdom

Read More »

GMBA Honoured with British Marine Association Export Award | David Lewin, GMBA-UK

Read More »

The Benefits of Award Ceremonies | David Lewin, GMBA-UK

Read More »

Design for Profit | David Lewin, GMBA-UK

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 »

Industry focus: will Russia burst the boating boom? | David Lewin, GMBA-UK

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 »

MaryAnne Edwards

Mary-Anne Edwards

Australia, New Zealand

  • +61 41 291 6036
  • medwards@gmba.blue

Experience

MaryAnne has considerable international and domestic business development experience plus strong management skills gained from holding CEO and senior management roles in a variety of industry sectors in both New Zealand and Australia. Most recently as CEO of the Australian Marine Export Group and Superyacht Australia for 12 years she has assisted companies both in the export and super yacht sectors enter and gain exposure in a number of key international markets, worked directly with government departments helping to reduce red tape and working to create the best possible environment for marine industry businesses to survive and thrive.

 

During her time as CEO of AIMEX and Superyacht Australia Maryanne has served as a board member of the International Superyacht Society, Chair of the ICOMIA exporters committee and been involved in various Australian industry and government working groups. Maryanne holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration and Human Resource Management, plus an MBA in International marketing.

 

Maryanne has a strong focus on assisting businesses grow their bottom line through strong day to day business management, relationship building and development of strategies that drive sales both domestically and internationally.

Regional Expertise

Australia, New Zealand, Asia- Pacific

Recent Insights

Impressive Developments ensure the New Zealand Marina Industry is Future Proofed for the increasing New Zealand Domestic and Global Market

Read More »

Press Releases: Does advertising guarantee publication?

Read More »

In-Depth Interview with a Media Powerhouse from Down Under

Read More »

New Zealand Inflation Reaches 32 Year High of 7.3 Percent but Marine Sector Remains Vibrant with Borders that Opened on 1 August

Read More »

GMBA Congratulates the 2022 Australian Marine Industry Awards Winners

Read More »
GMBA Global Team

GMBA Announces First Meeting to be Held in Palma Next Month

Read More »

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