Speakers

Xavier is an entrepreneur living in Dubai for more than 30 years.
Born in Brittany -France, the land for famous sailing races, he turned his passion for sea and sailing into work, as a dealer for Lagoon catamarans, Beneteau monohulls, Dragonfly and Neel trimarans.

Over 25 years linving in the UAE and involved in the Middle East region developing corporate and luxury brands. 11 years ago moved to the luxury Yachting Industry and have been engaged in a variety of projects from sales, charter to commercial marine projects.

Gianmaria Costantino is Chief Commercial Officer of The Italian Sea Group S.p.A., global player in luxury yachting with brands Admiral, Tecnomar, Perini Navi, Picchiotti, NCA Refit and Celi 1920.

Graduated with honours in International Economics and Finance at Luigi Bocconi University in Milan, and with a master’s degree in Finance from Hult International Business School in London, Gianmaria Costantino has worked at Meti Corporate Finance, iM Global Partner and at a leading division company, before joining TISG, where he worked alongside the management on commercial projects, gaining cross-company experience.

A member of the Company’s Board of Directors since October 2022, Gianmaria Costantino lead TISG’s Sales Team and is responsible for fostering the Group’s commercial development at a global level, representing its values of stylistic avant-garde and technological innovation.

Jo Assael joined the London office of IRI in 2023 as Yachts Commercial Director. Prior to joining IRI, Mr. Assael spent more than five years in yacht management at Döhle Yachts transitioning from Technical Director to Commercial Director responsible for managing the company’s growth. From 2013-2018 Jo worked for the Cayman Islands Shipping Registry as their Yacht Code Specialist and was heavily involved in drafting the Red Ensign Group’s Yacht Code while also conducting newbuild and in-service yacht surveys, inspections, and audits. He previously served as a surveyor for the United Kingdom’s (UK’s) Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and served as a lead technical specialist representing the UK MCA at the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Before his time at the UK MCA, Mr Assael was a large yacht naval architect, working on projects ranging in size from 60 to 120m. Mr. Assael serves as a British Superyacht Ambassador in technical and regulatory affairs. He is a Chartered Engineer (CENG) with the Engineering Council and a member of the Royal Institute of Naval Architects (RINA). Mr. Assael has a degree in Naval Architecture from Solent University.

James founded Jaffa & Co and is recognised internationally for his knowledge and expertise. He has been shortlisted for the Citywealth Lawyer of the Year Award and recognised as a leading advisor within the London market for ultra-high net worth sector. He has also been ranked in Chambers Guide and the Legal 500, both of which recognise the UK’s leading legal advisors. Clients praise James’ fast response times and ability to simplify complex matters. One leading, international brokerage describes James as “without doubt, one of the finest specialists in the industry and a pleasure to deal with.” In his personal capacity, James is an avid sailor and competes nationally and internationally. He enjoys spending time in the South of France with his family, onboard their own boat.
One newsworthy fact about you or your work that we can include in our marketing collateral – “Our business grew 10% year on year, and we have advised on assets worth $/€ 3bn+ in 2024.”

Maria Alekseenko Magan is a Monaco-based entrepreneur and the founder of Experiential Yachting, an innovative venture that redefines the conventional use of yachts. With over 15 years of experience in retail yacht charters and business development, Maria brings a wealth of knowledge and a forward-thinking vision to the yachting industry.

Maria’s unique perspective arises from her extensive professional background, as well as her personal experiences as a charterer and a member of a former yacht-owning family. She was a pioneer in organizing unique yacht charters to diverse destinations, including Northern Norway, Iceland, Madeira, Alaska, Antarctica, and Tanzania.

Beyond traditional yachting, Maria is committed to promoting longevity and advanced well-being at sea through various experiments, projects, and protocols on yachts. Her mission continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of yachting and beyond, offering innovative strategic solutions to grow and expand businesses from land to sea, and inspiring a new era of Multifunctional yachting.

Born;  Manchester England , July 1964

Profession;  Business Journalist, UHNW Commentator, Superyacht Industry Analyst and Chairman of one of the last independent Superyacht Media Players.

Career; Having left University in the late 80’s, disillusioned and frustrated by the world of education and not quite mature enough for a real job, I embarked on a voyage of discovery by applying for a job on a 90 foot sailing yacht based in Istanbul. This was my first step into the world of Superyachts and after this baptism I have never looked back.

Boredom soon set in and the square meters of teak deck and varnished tops sides that needed regular attention, were no longer my friends, so I returned to London in search of a career in the media. After learning the commercial ropes of publishing at a variety of media groups, a role became available in the 1989 to run the commercial operations of the then emerging Boat International Media Group. Having witnessed a market shift and predicted the growth that appeared on the horizon in the 90’s, I jumped ship and started my own business, The Superyacht Group. Some thirty plus years later I am still sailing a steady course at the helm of this dynamic and wonderful business that has the unstinting mission – of delivering excellent journalism, brilliant debates and powerful intelligence, all with the objective of “Building a Better Superyacht Market”.

What happens next is anyone’s guess, but I’m looking forward to it.