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 Coordinator: 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.
Head of Training: James Allen
James joined Clipper Ventures in April 2007 to head up the Clipper Training division. An experienced ocean racing skipper, he lead teams in numerous Round Britain and transatlantic races, most recently skippering the Me to You team in the 2004/05 Global Challenge. An accomplished sailor and highly experienced instructor, James’s professional sailing career has spanned 18 years, during which he has been responsible for the delivery of training and sailing events throughout the world.
As well as managing Clipper’s team of experienced skippers and mates and overseeing on-the-water standards and safety for Clipper Events, James is also responsible for the development and delivery of all Clipper’s comprehensive training programmes preparing people for extreme offshore and ocean races including the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race and Rolex Fastnet Race.
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.
Director of Marketing and Communications: Ian Dickens
With more than 25 years’ experience as Marketing Director at Olympus UK and in the radio industry, Ian joined Clipper Ventures in 2008 to oversee marketing, media and city sponsorship. He competed as a round the world crew member on London Clipper in the Times Clipper 2000 Race and wrote a book, Sea Change, about his experiences. As Director of Marketing and Communications Ian also oversees brand development of Clipper Events.
Communications Manager: Heather Ewing
Heather has been with Clipper Ventures Plc since February 2007 having spent 20 years working in the radio industry, both in the BBC and private sectors. She has worked all over the UK as a journalist, newsreader and presenter, as well as spending some time as a voiceover artist.
Communications Manager: Zoe Williamson
Before joining Clipper in January 2007 Zoe worked in televisions research and production at the BBC and in the communications department of the European Space Agency. She took part in the Clipper 05-06 Race as a round the world crew member on Liverpool 08.