PHOTOS: Mike Jones
Several weeks after new ownership took over, Oyster Yachts has added Eddie Jordan, a high-profile auto-racing and yacht-owning figure, to its board. Furthermore, it’s added Rob Humphreys, a well-known yacht designer.
Oyster Yachts re-emerged with entrepreneur Richard Hadida at the helm in March. This followed the company suddenly going into administration the prior month. Since new management stepped in, the British sailing-yacht builder has begun construction again. Projects are underway at both its Norfolk and Southampton facilities.
Jordan and Humphreys are among four non-executive directors on the board. (The other two include Ashley Highfield, formerly in the newspaper business in the UK. They also include Ivan Ritossa, at one point Barclays’ foreign-exchange chief.) Jordan is an analyst for Formula 1 and has spent much of his career in auto racing. He was a team boss from 1981 to 2005. However, Jordan is also an avid yacht owner. In fact, he owned several Sunseekers, most recently the first Sunseeker 155, Blush. (Jordan sold her last year.) However, he’s also a sailor. In fact, he’s currently selling his Oyster 885 Lush (above), which he took around the world. Jordan has told media he’s eyeing something larger, too.
The Oyster 885 bears design by Rob Humphreys, the head of the eponymous Humphreys Yacht Design. On a related side note, including Lush, Jordan has owned three Humphreys designs, including an Oyster 655. Humpreys Yacht Design has been lead designer and naval architect for Oyster Yachts since 1997. Besides the just-mentioned 885, the range from the studio includes 19 models, such as the Oyster 118. The design team additionally has several custom and production motoryachts and other sailing yachts to its credit.
“These appointments fit perfectly,” Richard Hadida says. “They bring extensive industry expertise and corporate experience. Mostly importantly, all Board members are a great cultural fit. Their passion for sailing and the Oyster brand is clear.”
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