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Media 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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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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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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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

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

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

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

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

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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

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

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

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Design for Profit | David Lewin, GMBA-UK

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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

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

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Jean-Michel Gaigné, CMM

FRANCE

  • + 33 682 112 524
  • jm.gaigne@gmba.blue

Experience

Jean-Michel Gaigné is a long time expert in the yachting sphere and has an extensive knowledge of the European and international marina industry. His career started 40 years ago as organizer of the famous Tour de France à la Voile sailing event after which he changed tack to become the Communications Manager of a worldwide nautical company. He has been developing marina facilities since the early 1990’s.

 

A prominent representative of the French marina industry, Jean-Michel is a member of the ICOMIA Marinas Group, Chairman of TransEurope Marinas, Member of the advisory board of Global Marina Institute and member of The Yacht Harbour Association Council. Prior to joining GMBA, Jean-Michel was part of the management of Saint-Quay Port d’Armor, a 1000+ berth marina in Brittany, France.  He now acts as a marketing, development and innovation consultant for marinas, marine tourism, cruise ships and waterside activities.

 

Jean-Michel Gaigné CMM est un expert de longue date de l’univers maritime, et un fin connaisseur de l’activité des ports de plaisance, au niveau européen et international. Il a démarré sa carrière il y a 40 ans comme organisateur du fameux Tour de France à la Voile, avant de prendre ensuite la direction de la communication d’une entreprise multinationale de l’industrie nautique. Depuis le début des années 90, il se consacre principalement au développement et à l’exploitation de ports de plaisance.


Acteur majeur du monde des ports de plaisance français, Jean-Michel est membre de l’ICOMIA Marinas Group, président de TransEurope Marinas, membre du conseil consultatif du Global Marina Institute, et administrateur de la Yacht Harbour Association. Il vient de quitter la direction générale de Saint-Quay Port d’Armor, une grande marina de plus de 1000 anneaux, en Bretagne, et voue désormais ses activités au conseil en marketing, développement et innovation, dans les domaines des ports de plaisance, du tourisme maritime, de l’industrie de la croisière et des sports nautiques.

Regional Expertise

France, Europe

Recent Insights

To ensure a quality service throughout the value chain, the challenge of Breton marinas! *

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In the marina industry, data are the seeds of action! | Jean-Michel Gaigné, CMM, GMBA – France

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GMBA Global Team

Online Now: EXPORT INSIGHTS online seminar series developed by MIN and GMBA

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Find your way in Marina certification: Everybody knows but no one is aware of! | Jean-Michel Gaigné, CMM GMBA-France

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Export Seminar Series Kicks Off With a Bang!

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Letter from France | Are Senior citizens the lifeline of our industry?

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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

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

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Meet the Team

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Global Marine Export Advisors Appoints Representative in China

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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

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

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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

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Press Releases: Does advertising guarantee publication?

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In-Depth Interview with a Media Powerhouse from Down Under

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

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GMBA Congratulates the 2022 Australian Marine Industry Awards Winners

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GMBA Global Team

GMBA Announces First Meeting to be Held in Palma Next Month

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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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