Superyacht UK has introduced the judges and competitors of the 2024 Superyacht UK Young Designer Competition, in partnership with Sunseeker. This prestigious event, set to take place at the Southampton International Boat Show from 16-18 September, will showcase the next generation of yacht designers as they compete for top honours in this highly competitive competition.
The Judges
The distinguished panel of judges for this year’s competition, features industry luminaries with over a century of combined experience in marine design and innovation. Together, they bring unparalleled expertise and a passion for mentoring the next generation of marine designers. The judges are:
- Justin Olesinski: With over 30 years of experience in the marine industry, Justin leads a team of over 20 designers, naval architects, and engineers at Olesinski Ltd. His extensive background spans from design to journalism and boat testing. Justin aims to inspire and mentor young designers through this competition.
- Douglas Hynd: A graduate of Solent University, Douglas has worked with renowned studios such as John Munford and RWD. With 27 years at RWD, he has seen it grow into a leading design studio in the superyacht industry. Douglas enjoys mentoring young designers and passing on the RWD design ethos.
- Jeff Houlgrave: With over 35 years in the marine industry, Jeff is a Senior Associate at Marina Projects Ltd. He has a high-profile reputation in the international marina sector and is a regular speaker at superyacht conferences. Jeff’s career has spanned from professional yachtsman to marina development and operation.
- James Shakespeare: Winner of the 2019 competition, James works at Princess Yachts as part of the Surfacing Design team. His career was kickstarted by his competition win, and he has since contributed to various projects across the Princess fleet.
- Ewen Foster: As Chief Technical Officer (CTO) at Sunseeker International, Ewen has been involved in the design and engineering of every Sunseeker model since 1985. He specialises in exterior styling, hull design, and overall concept development, and leads the in-house Design and PMO Teams at Sunseeker.
- Henry Ward: Design Director at Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding, Henry oversees bespoke yacht design from initial concept to construction. He is passionate about combining artisan skills with cutting-edge technology to create unique and personalised vessels.
The Competitors
Each competitor in this diverse and talented group, brings a unique perspective and fervent passion to the world of design, setting the stage for an inspiring showcase of innovation and creativity. The 12 talented young designers include:
- Amel Khsouma: A Coventry University graduate with a major in Automotive and Transport Design, Amel has a rich cultural background and a passion for yacht design.
- Amy-Jane Mealing: An Interior Design student at the University of Plymouth, Amy-Jane is fascinated by the adventure and exoticism associated with yacht design.
- Archie Ritchie: A final year student at UWTSD, Swansea, Archie has developed an interest in yacht design through his coursework and his father’s career in the Royal Navy.
- Daniel Matejovic: An international student from Slovakia, Daniel is completing his Master’s in Automotive and Transport Design at Coventry University. His passion for yacht design was ignited during a family sailing trip.
- Jack Pattison: A product designer who loves sketching and aims to create emotionally and physically durable objects. Jack is the president of the Student Design Society and established a “Sketch Club” for this competition.
- Jasper Teunisson: A graduate of Portsmouth University in Product Design and Innovation, Jasper has always had a keen interest in design and aims to become a more well-rounded designer.
- Josh Tandy: An automotive design student with a background in games design, Josh is passionate about cars and motorsport and eager to participate in the competition.
- Kasper Marriott: A dedicated transport design student looking for new challenges, Kasper enjoys trying new things and gaining experience in design.
- Marcus Anderton: Studying Automotive and Transport Design at Staffordshire University, Marcus enjoys creating innovative designs and drawing inspiration from different cultures.
- Oliver Rye: A recent graduate from UWTSD Swansea College of Art, Oliver is passionate about fast cars and impressive yachts, aiming for true bespoke design and innovation.
- Oscar Endean: Aspiring yacht designer with a passion for sleek lines and innovative concepts, Oscar has wanted to be a yacht designer since he was 12 years old.
- Phil Rawlins-Grundy: Phil seeks to gain valuable experience and insight from the competition and enjoys the competitive nature and opportunities to meet like-minded people.
This year’s competition introduces two categories for entry: Category 1 for 2nd and 3rd-year students, and Category 2 for Master’s students. Participants are required to hand-draw their designs to specific briefs during the two-day event at the Southampton International Boat Show. Winners and runners-up in each category can look forward to exciting prizes, including: a four-week internship with Sunseeker and one week internship with Olesinski*, with further prizes to be announced.
- *Accommodation will be provided for the Olesinski internship
Ewen Foster, Chief Technical Officer (CTO) at Sunseeker International, emphasised the importance of nurturing new talent: “It’s crucial that we actively cultivate and support the next generation of yacht designers, as they are the ones who will pioneer groundbreaking advancements in our industry. I am genuinely excited about the potential we will witness at this year’s competition. Each participant brings a fresh perspective that promises not only to challenge the conventional but also to push the boundaries of design and innovation. This is a fantastic platform for these young talents to showcase their vision and skills, and I am eagerly looking forward to the unique and inspiring designs they will present.”
Ben Geary, Chair of Superyacht UK, added, “We are thrilled to welcome such an outstanding array of judges and competitors to the 2024 Superyacht UK Young Designer Competition. Each judge brings a wealth of experience and a genuine commitment to fostering emerging talent, creating a profound opportunity for our participants. This event not only provides a platform to highlight the exceptional skills and innovative designs of young designers but also reflects our ongoing commitment to nurturing the future leaders of the superyacht industry. I look forward to witnessing the creativity and passion that these young designers will bring to the forefront during the competition.”
To find out more about the competition, the judges and the competitors visit: https://www.southamptonboatshow.com/young-designer-competition/
For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Liv Whetmore at lwhetmore@britishmarine.co.uk
