Derek grew up in Malaysia and the Solomon Islands
He built his first vessel at 8 years old (a 2.8m canoe dug out from one log)
1986 Started sailing in Europe
1987 Became a Captain on first sailing yacht
1988 RYA Ocean Certificate
Sailed globally on various sailing yachts and motor yachts. Red Sea, Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean, Pacific Ocean, Asia (Hong Kong, China, Philippines, Palau, to New Zealand)
1998 NZ MCA Master <3000
1998 NZ MCA Ships Engineer Certificate
2003 UK MCA Master <3000 (as UK did not recognise NZ certificates at that time)
2004 first Owners Representative new build project
2016 Founder of Superyacht Charities
2017 Recipient of the ISS Business Person of the Year Award
2017 Founded and started Divergent Yachting Limited a Bespoke Yacht Management Company based in the UK and operating globally.
2018 Delivered SY Black Pearl along with the Oceanco Team to the Client

Derek has been the Owners Representative for 14 new build projects since 2004.
He has assisted numerous designers since 2019 with developing sustainable / fossil fuel free yachts for various Clients.
Derek proudly works hard with Superyacht Charities running 5 events globally to raise funds for various small charities and also hurricane relief projects (www.superyachtcharities.com)

Growing up in Chichester, on England’s south coast, Ed’s earliest memories are of messing around in small dinghies / yachts, so going to sea as a job, while not inevitable, was always likely. After completing a cadetship with Trinity House at South Tyneside College, he spent the next ten years travelling the world, enjoying a couple of promotions, and gaining his unlimited ‘Chief Officers License’. In 2010 Ed moved ashore to work on the trading floor within one of the leading oil majors based in central London as a Voyage Operations Superintendent. He later transitioned to their HQ in Sunbury on Thames where he became Lead Assessment and Inspections Superintendent for the Marine and Technical team. During this time Ed gained a Masters degree in Shipping Operations from Solent University. In 2013 Ed became a member of the Nautical Institute and was elected as an ‘Associate Fellow’ in 2015. In 2016, Ed decided to venture into somewhat unknown territory and became Global HSEQ Manager for one of the leading global Ship to Ship (STS) Providers, being responsible for all HSEQ matters and the safety of all 130 employees. This position gave him huge responsibilities in providing marine assurance globally to the business, working closely with all oil majors, and chartering houses, not to mention their partners across 33 locations across the globe. During this time Ed was heavily involved in industry forums including ITOL, OCIMF STS WG, and the OCIMF EMEA STS Forum which he acted as secretary and latterly as Chairman. In 2018, Ed moved to the world’s largest STS provider acting as Marine Manager (Americas, Europe and Africa). He was responsible for all Marine Assurance matters in these areas focusing on new projects in Brazil, Chile and Peru.

She looked after multiple yachts towards the end of the new build stage through to ongoing management. During the past year the finance department of Divergent has worked closely with the Purser onboard a large new build yacht. We have discussed and decided on a workable finance accountancy package which can be used efficiently by the yacht and management. After qualifying AAT in 1997 Christien furthered her accountancy training by joining the Guardian Media Group assisting the Financial Controller of the commercial radio sector. This was followed by a move in to the construction industry as a Company Accountant and then into a senior finance role within a large property management company. Christien then moved into the Superyacht Industry and took a position as Senior Accountant within a yacht management company in 2011. Dealing with the company UK finance operation and overseeing the yacht management function she looked after multiple yachts towards the end of the new build stage through to ongoing management.

Her extensive event management background has provided her with a wealth of experience and a keen attention to detail. Charlotte’s strength is providing the details that the client needs before they know it themselves.

As the ‘Head of Compliance’ with direct responsibility for all ISM, ISPS and MLC issues for SY Black Pearl, the largest private sailing yacht in the world. In recognition of his extensive Maritime background and experience David was elected as an ‘Associate Fellow’ of The Nautical Institute in July 2012 and is the ‘Superyacht’ representative on the Marshall Islands Quality Council and Chairman of the Yacht Advisory Group for Europe. David commenced his maritime career with a Deck Officer apprenticeship at Trinity House before completing a successful career in the Royal Navy spanning over 35 years. His postings included the Senior Naval rating at the Defence Intelligence and Security School and the Senior Warrant Officer at the Joint Service Intelligence Organisation.  These postings led to David being awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for services to the Intelligence community. For his final appointment in the Royal Navy David was selected by the 2nd Sea Lord as the ‘Command Warrant Officer’ of the surface fleet, the most senior position in the Royal Navy Fleet for a non-commissioned officer. On leaving the RN David joined ‘Carnival UK’ as an ISM/ISPS Compliance Auditor before being promoted to ‘Fleet Training Manager’ directly responsible for all occupational Health, Safety and Security training throughout the Carnival UK fleet comprising of the P&O and Cunard Cruise liners. Jan 2012 saw a change to the ‘Superyacht’ industry where David joined a US based Yacht Management company running the UK office in the position of ‘Senior Compliance Officer’. The position included the roles of ‘Designated Person Ashore’ and ‘Company Security Officer’ with full ISM/ISPS/MLC responsibility for 22 Superyachts. During his time in the Superyacht industry David has assisted in the delivery and registration of a number of new build superyachts from 40 to 106 meters working with well know yacht builders including Lurssen, Feadship, Amels, Hakvoort and Oceanco. For the last 18 months David has been employed by ‘Divergent Yachting Ltd’ as the ‘Head of Compliance’ with direct responsibility for all ISM, ISPS and MLC issues for SY Black Pearl, the largest private sailing yacht in the world. This involved constructing all the yachts SOP’s, Checklists, Safety Procedures and Risk Assessments and working with the legal team, flag state, Class society and Insurance Company to ensure a successful delivery and registration.

Richard worked on a number of high profile yachts (in those days) and then went on to establish Global Services. Through Global Services Richard was involved in supplying engineering equipment, interior equipment, toys and much more to over 600 new build projects. Richard’s knowledge of the industry and business is proving to be very beneficial to Divergent Yachting as we move forward.

She started her career as a South African diplomat and managed fundraising and marketing teams in London for thirteen years after moving to the UK. She was a visiting lecturer at a London university for six years supporting an MA degree programme in charity management and served in a compliance leadership role as an elected borough and parish councillor in Hampshire. Lizette holds professional qualifications from the International Association of Privacy Professionals and serves as the Data Protection Officer for a number of organisations. Lizette is a longtime supporter of the Superyacht Charities.