Launch of High Aspect

Ian Walker and Jamie Boag set up marine consultancy business

Two well known figures in the sailing world, Ian Walker and Jamie Boag have combined their diverse knowledge and expertise to create a new and innovative marine consultancy business, High Aspect Ltd.

Double Olympic Silver medalist, America’s Cup skipper and occasional contributor to TheDailySail Ian Walker, and yacht broker and marine consultant Jamie Boag, have both been racing on the International sailing circuit and involved in the marine industry for over 20 years. They have combined their talents to create a new type of marine consultancy business.

High Aspect will provide clients with access to a central point of independent market knowledge. Through their network of consultants they will use the best people to provide clients with the help they need to make more informed decisions about their particular project.

Jamie Boag outlined how the business will work in practice. “The key to our growth and success is the ability to access industry professionals who we can draw on, to manage or oversee a particular project, in much the same way that a leading management consultancy assess a project and then assigns the work to specialised professionals best suited to the project in hand."

Key areas of consultancy High aspect offer are: New build projects (racing and cruising), campaign management, campaign performance enhancement, event management, sourcing of boats, services crew and equipment, media and TV consultation and rights management, charters, sailing as a corporate tool and sponsorship consultancy.

Ian Walker explains; “Ultimately we want to ensure individuals and companies receive the best advice on offer, to ensure they are happy with the product and services they receive and their expectations are fully met.

“We can help potential boat owners make the right decisions for them and we can help current owners get more from their boats. Our aim is for our clients’ expectations from the sport to be exceeded.

“On the commercial side, I have been involved with big multi-national sponsorships throughout my sailing career, including Mars, United Airlines and Volvo. We want to ensure all potential sponsors are fully aware of the properties available within the market place, and which of those properties fit best with their corporate goals.”

Ian will continue to race and coach at the highest level as one of the world’s top helmsmen/tacticians/coaches. This will help ensure that High Aspect remains informed and in touch with the industry’s top professionals and developments.

The company is currently involved in several diverse projects, being run by their team of consultants:

TP52 - Patches
Eamon Conneely the owner of the TP52 Patches explained how High Aspect helped him build his dream: “I had only been sailing for two seasons when I saw the TP52’s racing in the States and decided that I wanted to part of this new and exciting class. I knew what I wanted but had no idea who to talk to or how to implement such a large scale project. By using High Aspect, I was able to get independent advice on how (or even if!) to proceed with the project, assign a suitable budget, interview designers, project managers, builders and ultimately a skipper and crew. It’s been a real pleasure dealing with the likes of Jason Carrington, James Stagg, Green Marine and Reichel Pugh, and the end result is simply awesome.”

Endemol/Initial - The world's biggest independent TV producer
With plans for a major sailing based television program, Endemol/Initial came to High Aspect to discuss their project. “When dealing with other sports or events its usually easy to determine who to talk to and how to proceed”, said Andy Ward Director of Endemol/Initial. “When it came to sailing it seemed like a minefield, with so many options. By using their consultation service, High Aspect have helped us source boats, locations, personnel and assisted us with the overall format of the programme.”

Minx 2 – Cruiser / Racer Beneteau 36.7
Frustration at results that didn’t live up to expectations caused James Luke, helmsman of Minx 2, to contact High Aspect. Advice and coaching input have helped the team to a 7th in class, their best result ever in this year’s JP Morgan Assent Management Round the Island Race. "It's been a great experience using High Aspect," said Luke, "and gaining access to real professionals who are keen to help. My crew are so much more enthusiastic now that we are making real progress up the fleet. High Aspect’s services are not just for the big boys they can benefit sailors at all levels.”