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Marketing Strategy

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

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Yacht Fires | Godfrey Zwygart, GMBA China & Asia

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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

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

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

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GMBA further expands global reach and capability with appointment in Croatia

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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

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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

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

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

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Jack Felon

Rising Stars of our Industry

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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

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Johan Volvo Penta

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

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GMBA brings in significant corporate experience to expand reach and capability

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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

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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 »

Kai Malmivaara

MIDDLE EAST

  • +971 50 276 0287
  • kai.malmivaara@gmba.blue

Experience

Kai is a Dubai based business executive with more than 30 years’ experience in different international businesses, including shipping, oil and gas, import export, real estate, construction, asset management, private equity investment and business consulting. Kai has been member of the board in more than 40 companies and in several of those he has acted as a chairman.

 

The focus of his work has been in consulting and building up businesses, creating and developing strategies and business plans, monitoring and directing the business operations and in building long term value of the concerned corporations. He combines the understanding of legal and contractual issues with general business understanding. In particular Kai is specialized international negotiations and has a good understanding of different types of industrial contracts.

 

Kai has lived in Dubai since 2005 and has played a central role in building Middle East business for Marinetek Group, acting as Managing Director and Chairman of the Board of Marinetek Middle East and Asia. In this role he has gained an in-depth knowledge of marine related business in the area and has established good network with different actors in the field.
Kai is fluent in English, Finnish and Swedish language. He has a master’s degree in law (LL.M.) from the University of Helsinki and MBA degree from IMD, Switzerland.

Regional Expertise

UAE

Recent Insights

Interview – Meet the Team | Kai Malmivaara, GMBA – Middle East

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Letter From the United Arab Emirates | Kai Malmivaara, GMBA-Middle East

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Electric Sailing Revolution | Kai Malmivaara, GMBA-Middle East

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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.

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