Team on the Sea: Richard Allen – A New and Exciting Era for Simpson Marine

2024 is a year we won’t forget. We’re celebrating two key milestones: the 40th anniversary of Simpson Marine and the acquisition by Sanlorenzo S.p.A. On a personal note, it’s also my 12th year with Simpson Marine, and it’s been a privilege to lead the company as Mike Simpson concentrated on selling the business.

As we usher in an exciting new era with a concentrated focus on top luxury brands Sanlorenzo, Bluegame, Nautor Swan, and Fairline, we will sadly be ending several long-term partnerships. Brands like Beneteau and Lagoon, which I have worked with for over 30 years, will be parting ways with us. We remain committed to looking after our existing owners and are thrilled to represent many new cutting-edge models – which you’ll read about in this edition of Seabreeze.

When Simpson Marine started representing Sanlorenzo in 2015, there were just two yachts from the luxury builder in Asia-Pacific. Now we’re proud to see more than 75 cruising the region. This is phenomenal and a testament to the vision of Massimo Perotti and his team. Coupled with the hard work of the entire Simpson Marine team ensures first-class service to all our Sanlorenzo owners.

We will continue to grow with Sanlorenzo and are looking forward to expanding our Sanlorenzo representation into new markets and territories throughout the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

As a keen sailor, I’m delighted to see Nautor Swan back with Simpson Marine. Nautor Swan is the Sanlorenzo of the sailing world with iconic models, strong heritage, and limited availability. I know the heritage well; I regularly sail on a Swan 53 in Hong Kong and have sold a number of new and used Swans over the years. It will be good to see this partnership develops.

I am also looking forward to attending Swan regattas with the Hong Kong crew who recently took line honors in the 2023 Round the Island Race in Hong Kong. No mean feat with several hundred yachts out on the water!

We have just had our first Group Simpson Marine Summit in Hong Kong, with over 90 colleagues for a three-day conference. We shared the plan and vision for the company direction for the next 40 years. It was great to have all the team come to Hong Kong, and to see the energy in the room as Massimo Perotti and the company management team set out their vision for the future.

Having been with the company for the last 12 years and seen the business and individuals flourish, it’s great to see the existing Management team stay together during the transition of the business from Mike to Sanlorenzo. This is the great strength we have and why Simpson Marine has remained the number one yachting company in Asia-Pacific and will remain so.

I often get asked if I tire of being on the water, which I definitely don’t. Weekends are spent either racing my Etchells yacht at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club or out on my new Axopar speed boat, catching up with friends or exploring the islands of Hong Kong.

My holidays are also either linked with visits to some of our offices or on a yacht charter either in the Mediterranean or the Caribbean. Last year, my wife and I went sailing in Sardinia with some friends, which was stunning and a very different experience from a Greek or Croatian charter. While cruising the beautiful coastline of Sardinia, we were surrounded by superyachts, and the Sanlorenzos were easy to spot with their iconic lines. There were several of our Asian owners in the region, taking the opportunity to cruise the summer in the Mediterranean before we shipped their yachts to Asia. A great way to take delivery of your new yacht!

However much I love the Mediterranean, the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean remain my favorite charter destination. I have had many great holidays there over the years and am looking forward to going back in the next year or so. Charter holidays are some of the best holidays I have ever had; I strongly recommend you give it a go. They provide lifelong memories you will never forget.

2024 is going to be an exciting year, and I wish to thank our Simpson Marine customers for your continued support, for trusting us to give you your yachting experiences. We believe in our Yachting Freedom promise and want to make your experience as pleasant as possible. If you think we can do more to help you on your yachting journey, please let me know. We appreciate your feedback and opinions.

See you on the water,
Richard Allen
Chief Operating Officer