The Clipper Events team
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston
Sir Robin is Executive Chairman and founder Director of Clipper Ventures Plc. Sir Robin has been involved in sailing all his life and holds a Department of Transport Master’s Certificate. He is the first person to sail solo and non-stop around the world and has also set the record for the fastest circumnavigation with Sir Peter Blake. In 2007 he completed his second solo circumnavigation when he competed in the VELUX 5 OCEANS race. Sir Robin has considerable experience of the administration of round the world races having served on the Whitbread Race committee from 1990 to 1994 and having organised the BOC Challenge Round the World Race in 1982 and 1986. He has been named RYA/YJA Yachtsman of the Year an unprecedented three times.
Commercial Director: Nigel Beacham
After his service in the Gurkhas in Hong Kong where he played international rugby, Nigel spent ten years in London specialising in sports marketing for WPP, Whitbread and British tennis. At the Lawn Tennis Association he managed the relationships between the broadcast media, sponsors and performance players before escaping the city in July 2005 to join Clipper Ventures where he launched company's hospitality and events division, Clipper Events. In addition to mixing business with pleasure on the Solent, Nigel is also part of the team responsible for bringing in corporate sponsors for the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.
Events Manager: Aimee Deacon
From a young age Aimee has spent life out on the water at every opportunity, water skiing, sailing and rowing. After four years working winter and summer seasons she studied for a degree in Watersports Management at Southampton University. After graduating she moved into event management with a major law firm. Aimee joined Clipper Events in January 2009.
Sailing Staff
All the skippers and mates employed by Clipper Events must meet the strenuous criteria we impose. As well as their formal advanced Ocean Yachtmaster qualifications they demonstrate high levels of judgement, seamanship and people management. They have the ability to not only lead a team safely in a global circumnavigation, but to ensure that everyone taking part in your event leaves the boat having fulfilled their dreams and their business objectives. The same high standards are in place onboard whether they are racing around the cans in the Solent or competing in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.
PR Manager: Isabel Hokken
Isabel joined the Clipper Race Team in January 2012 heading up the media department securing global news coverage for Clipper Ventures. Isabel is an experienced journalist and communications professional, having worked in both the private and public sectors, spanning tourism, business and government relations. Being half Danish and half Dutch, Isabel has an international background having grown up and worked different places around the world.