Ben Taylor Podcast

David Kneen, director and head of crew employment at Cornerstone Crew Management, joins the Ben Taylor Podcast to discuss why professional crew management is far more than payroll. The conversation explores superyacht crew employment, HR support, contracts, SEAs, travel, visas, insurance, repatriation, crew welfare, and the risks owners face when employment decisions are handled incorrectly. David...

Tytti Sirola, CEO and co-founder of Bluet Floating Solutions, joins the Founder Podcast Series to discuss how floating infrastructure can help marinas, waterfront developers, hospitality operators, and coastal cities solve one of their biggest constraints: lack of land. The conversation explores floating pools, spas, saunas, beach clubs, event platforms, utilities, crew facilities, and wellness-le...

David Rose, founder of LOOKOUT, joins the Founder Podcast Series to discuss how AI, computer vision, augmented reality, and sensor fusion could transform marine navigation and collision avoidance. The conversation explores why boats have lagged behind cars in safety technology, how LOOKOUT detects vessels, debris, swimmers, whales, and other hazards, and why the future helm experience may feel mor...

Nicolo Pasini, founder of Pasini Yachts, joins the Founder Podcast Series to discuss how automotive engineering, integrated technology, and customer-led design could reshape yacht ownership. Drawing on experience at Automobili Lamborghini, BMW Group, and Automobili Pininfarina, Nicolo explains why Pasini Yachts is building electric Smart Yachts around a proprietary integrated platform designed to...

Jack Molyneux, founder of IDOSY, joins the Founder Podcast Series to discuss the future of luxury yacht charter and why the industry needs a more digital, transparent route to booking. The conversation explores IDOSY’s live pricing, live availability, instant booking model, and how its marketplace could open yacht charter to a new generation of clients. Jack also shares his journey from wooden boa...

In this Founder Podcast Series episode, produced in collaboration with Yachting Ventures and Marine Industry News, Ben Taylor and Gabriella Richardson speak with Thomas Frizlen, founder of Swiss Ocean Tech, the company behind AnchorGuardian. Filmed onboard the beautiful M/Y ON TIME, hosted by Boatsters Black, this conversation explores how a sailor’s personal frustration became a proactive anchor...

Brought to you by Superyacht Services Guide, this episode of the Ben Taylor Podcast features Marcel Herrera of Coast Insurance, recorded on board MY SHEERGOLD at the Palma International Boat Show. Marcel explains how yacht insurance is moving beyond static policies and manual underwriting toward smarter, data-led risk management. The conversation covers Coast Insurance, CompareYachtInsurance.com,...

Filmed at the Palma International Boat Show, this episode of the Ben Taylor Podcast, brought to you by Superyacht Services Guide, features Peter Bresnan of OneSails Palma. Peter explains how the loft supports yachts from Optimists to 60-metre superyachts with sailmaking, rigging, composites, design, engineering, and urgent repair work. The conversation explores superyacht sail servicing, rapid-res...

In this episode, Wade Pearce breaks down the true dynamics of the Southeast Asia yachting market, drawing on a decade of experience building boat shows and industry networks. The conversation explores fragmented regulation, emerging marina and shipyard infrastructure, and the rise of local ownership across Thailand, Indonesia, and Singapore. For marine and superyacht professionals, this episode hi...

In this episode, Ben Taylor speaks with Emma Deal of MedAire at the Superyacht Technology Show , exploring how proactive medical planning underpins safe and seamless yacht operations. From global risk management and emergency response to real-time vital signs monitoring, the discussion highlights how data, preparation, and clear owner expectations shape outcomes onboard. The conversation also addr...

In this episode, Ben Taylor speaks with Erna Rusi, CEO of Saxdor Yachts, on scaling a disruptive boatbuilding brand from startup to 700 boats annually in six years. With a background in telecom, Rusi shares how structured leadership, decisive portfolio management, and disciplined manufacturing strategy have driven Saxdor’s global growth. She explains the brand’s design-led positioning, focus on se...

In this episode of the Ben Taylor Podcast, Lou Clark of Centtrip explains how fintech is transforming financial management across the superyacht industry. From escrow payments and charter accounting to expense management and crew payroll, Centtrip streamlines complex global payment workflows for captains, senior crew, and charter managers. With operations spanning Amsterdam, London, and Fort Laude...

In this episode of the Ben Taylor Podcast, Mark Perry, Director of Yachting at Centtrip, explains how fintech is transforming superyacht financial management. With over 2,300 vessels onboarded globally, Centtrip delivers multi-currency spend management, virtual crew cards, APA account structuring, and seamless API integration with yacht accountancy software. The discussion explores charter season...

In this episode of the Ben Taylor Podcast, Maurice Belgrave of Maurice Underwater Services (Antigua) explains the behind-the-scenes work that keeps superyachts moving - from untangling anchors in crowded harbours to hull scrubs, propeller changes, zinc anode replacement, and emergency salvage response. Maurice breaks down the real risk below the waterline, including lift-bag anchor breakouts, nigh...

In this episode of the Ben Taylor Podcast, brought to you by Superyacht Services Guide, Ben Taylor speaks with Francois Vandame of Cadogan Tate about the specialist world of fine art and high-value logistics for superyachts. From newbuild coordination to moving vessels with tight port windows, Francois explains why art, furniture, and collectible logistics demand precision planning, contingency th...

In this episode of the Ben Taylor Podcast, Ben sits down with Lumitec to explore how advanced marine lighting has evolved from a commodity into a strategic system. The discussion covers smart LED lighting, digital lighting control, and why system-level thinking now matters for boatbuilders, OEMs, and superyacht professionals. From harsh-environment testing and IP-rated durability to POCO4 digital...

In this episode, Ben Taylor speaks with Nikita Achkasov, CEO of Bespoke Projects, to explore how his Barcelona-based team delivers high-precision interior and exterior solutions for the superyacht sector. Nikita reveals how the company evolved from specialist teak decking into a full-spectrum interior engineering partner, supporting refit and new build yards across Europe. The conversation unpacks...

In this episode of the Ben Taylor Podcast, brought to you by Garmin, we explore EmpirBus and its role in shaping the modern smart yacht. Recorded live at METSTRADE on the Garmin stand, the discussion unpacks how distributed electrical systems connect lighting, climate, entertainment and safety into a single, intuitive onboard experience. Learn how EmpirBus integrates with NMEA 2000, Garmin OneHelm...

Recorded in the Garmin Sound Room at METSTRADE, this episode explores how Garmin is redefining marine audio through its Fusion and JL Audio brands. Kevin Lott explains how purpose-built marine sound systems are engineered for harsh environments, complex hull designs, and evolving owner expectations. The conversation dives into OEM collaboration, real-world acoustic tuning, and how advanced DSP, NM...

In this episode of the Ben Taylor Podcast, Gareth Evans of Lumishore explains how intelligent lighting is reshaping onboard experience and system integration. Recorded in the Garmin Sound Room, the discussion traces Lumishore’s evolution from high-power underwater lights to fully integrated above and below-water lighting controlled through Garmin MFDs. Gareth outlines how intuitive UI design, zone...

Vitters Services' Bas Peute joins Ben Taylor to discuss the evolution of Vitters Shipyard and its commitment to large custom sailing yachts. Bas explores the yard’s deep specialism in advanced sailing systems, complex engineering, and lifecycle service support, before revealing details of Project Zero - a 69-metre fossil-fuel-free sailing superyacht. The conversation highlights the technical break...

Jim Bungard from Global Services joins Ben Taylor at Metstrade 2025 to unpack how early-stage procurement shapes successful superyacht new builds and refits. Jim explains how Global Services supports shipyards, project managers, and new build captains from concept through delivery, managing thousands of specialist components and leveraging long-standing supplier relationships across Europe. The di...

In this episode, Ben Taylor speaks with Marcus Hamilton, CEO of Propspeed, to explore the business thinking behind the company’s recent expansion and product diversification. Marcus outlines how disciplined channel strategy, transparent partner engagement, and real field data have shaped Propspeed’s growth over the past five years. The discussion examines why the team moved beyond its core Propspe...

In this episode, Ben Taylor speaks with John Shinske of Teakdecking Systems, exploring the company’s expanding role in superyacht deck manufacturing, sustainable maintenance products, and distribution across Europe. John shares how TDS integrates R&D, logistics, and installation expertise to support shipyards, refit yards, and captains seeking durable, environmentally responsible deck solution...

This episode explores Dometic's entry into the gyro stabilisation market with the new DG3 Gyro Stabiliser, introduced by Steve Watson at Metstrade. We break down the DG3's fully electric actuator, low-RPM flywheel architecture, and integrated 48-volt spin battery that reduces power draw, accelerates spin-up, and enables regenerative braking. Steve explains how Dometic delivers active stabilisation...