New roles

Lewmar announce changes to key staff positions to focus on core markets

Lewmar Marine Ltd, the leisure marine equipment supplier, has announced a series of new roles for staff to increase focus on powerboat and sailboat markets.

Phil Atfield takes on the new role of Sailing Market Manager, to strengthen Lewmar’s position in the sailboat sector. Phil, who started out at Lewmar 28 years ago as a test engineer, has worked in winch and custom product management over the years. Most recently he headed up worldwide custom sales for the company. His new role will be to work with a team of product managers developing new products for boats from 30 – 150ft - from cruisers, to racing yachts, as well as grand prix and superyachts.

Matt Johnston will head up Lewmar's global custom sales. Joining Navtec over three years ago as its Custom Sales Manager, Matt has worked on many leading edge projects including the composite rigging for the 287ft Perini Maltese Falcon and race boat hydraulics for various Volvo 70 and TP52 designs. He will look after group custom sales with special focus on re-establishing Lewmar's position within the grand prix race boat market. Already he has signed Lewmar's first TP 52 Carbon Power Winch package along with a new 100ft maxi launching this autumn in Australia.

Andy Willey, who is appointed to Custom Product Manager, will provide product development to support this specialist area. Andy has worked at Lewmar for nine years in both product management and custom sales. He has developed custom hydraulic systems and provided engineering and technical support for the company’s America’s Cup and Volvo projects.

Ben Davies has moved into the role of Navtec North European Custom sales representative. Over the past year Ben has been providing technical sales support in Lewmar’s UK subsidiary office. Prior to joining Lewmar he worked as a professional skipper for seven years throughout the Mediterranean and Caribbean. At Navtec Ben will be working to provide hydraulic and rigging solutions for OEM and custom projects, and will continue to service Navtec’s base of world-class yacht builders and racers.

Commented Peter O’Connell, Lewmar’s Managing Director; “We clearly needed to bring greater focus to our core markets. For example, the sailboat initiative aligns our resources with the performance product sector, which we had a great deal of experience and knowledge in, but were perhaps not making the most of. These new positions will enable the team at Lewmar to develop and sell products uniquely designed for this demanding market.”