Maritime archaeologist, explorer and author 

Born in the Falkland Islands, Mensun Bound studied in New York, before moving to Oxford University where he continued his studies at Lincoln College and then St Catherine’s College before finally becoming the Triton Fellow in Maritime Archaeology at St Peter’s College. He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and Explorer’s Club.  Known as ‘Indiana Jones of the Deep,’ Bound has conducted wreck surveys and excavations all over the world in a career that spanned over 40 years.  In 1981, he excavated one of the oldest known shipwrecks (an Etruscan ship from 600 BC) and, in 1997, he used saturation diving methods in the South China Sea off Vietnam  to carry out the deepest hands-on shipwreck excavation there has ever been.  Twelve museums around the globe hold permanent displays of artefacts raised by Bound.  In 2019 Bound stunned the world with his discovery of Admiral von Spee’s flagship, Scharnhorst, which had been lost in battle during World War One. That same year Bound was Director of Exploration for the first search to find Shackleton’s Endurance in Antarctica which ended in failure when their Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) disappeared without a trace.  In  2022 the search resumed with Bound in the same role, this time under the auspices of the Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust, of which Bound is a Trustee .  On 5 March the Endurance was found at a depth of 3000 meters under the ice and, as predicted by Bound, it was upright, largely intact, proud of the seabed and in an excellent state of preservation.

His journey to find the Endurance, the lost ship of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, is chronicled in his latest book, The Ship Beneath the Ice: The Discovery of Shackleton’s Endurance

Technical Director, ICOMIA

Partner (UK Patent Attorney, European Patent Attorney, Unified Patent Court Representative) Withers and Rogers

Harry specialises in intellectual property protection for advanced technologies at the cutting edge of patentability. He advises businesses on IP strategy for AI-driven software, machine learning, data-led systems and emerging digital technologies, with particular expertise in how AI innovations can be protected in the UK and Europe.

He regularly drafts and prosecutes patent applications relating to artificial intelligence, complex software systems and industrial technologies, and represents clients before the UK Intellectual Property Office and the European Patent Office, including appeal proceedings.

Harry is widely recognised for his data-driven and practical approach to AI and IP. He has undertaken extensive research into the patentability of AI and machine learning inventions in Europe, particularly around disclosure requirements, and regularly presents his findings to technology-focused clients and professional audiences across the UK, Europe and the US.

Before joining Withers & Rogers, Harry worked at University College London, where he coordinated modules in machine learning and software engineering, and collaborated on applied AI research in healthcare. He holds a PhD in machine learning and a background in software engineering, and is the author of Open Problems in Spectral Dimensionality Reduction (Published by Springer).

Chief Operating Officer at Döhle Yachts and Chairman of Superyacht UK

Ben brings extensive expertise to the global superyacht industry. He also serves as Chairperson of ISO Ships and Marine Technology Large Yachts, contributing to the development of international standards in marine innovation and safety.

Previously, Ben held the role of Statutory Discipline Manager at Lloyd’s Register, where he led statutory departments within the UK&I Technical Support Office. His responsibilities encompassed Fire & Safety, Stability, Loadline & Tonnage, MARPOL, and Structural Analysis Services. With a proven track record in technical leadership and regulatory compliance, Ben is dedicated to advancing marine industry excellence and sustainability.

Cayman Island Shipping Register Regional Director, Europe, Middle East & Africa.

After graduating from University in 1998, Julian was employed in a Project Management role for an organisation building a fleet of Round the World Race Yachts before embarking on a career in Marine Surveying with a London based consultancy in 1999.

Julian joined Lloyd’s Register in 2004 as a Surveyor in the Yacht and Special Service Craft Department, later progressing to Senior and Lead Surveyor. In September 2014, he joined the Fire & Safety Plan Appraisal Department as Lead Specialist (Yachts) and was responsible for the appraisal of plans and documentation for various Large Yacht Projects generally between 70m and 120m LOA.

In May 2017, he joined the Cayman Islands Shipping Registry and is now responsible for the survey and certification of Yachts in accordance with the requirements of the Large and Passenger Yacht Codes. He also acts in the capacity of Code Secretariat for the REG Yacht Codes.

Lead Specialist-Yacht Centre of Expertise, Lloyds Register

Corrado is a Naval Architect and Marine Engineer with over 20 years’ experience in the yachting sector. He has worked extensively in international maritime environments, collaborating with shipyards, flag administrations, yacht management and consultancy companies, as well as equipment and component manufacturers.

Director of UK Customer Maritime Services​​​​​​, Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)

Head of North Europe Yachting Centre, RINA

Matteo is a mechanical engineer with specialist training in yacht and small craft design, holding degrees from universities in Rome and Southampton. He began his career in the Netherlands working with leading superyacht shipbuilders as a naval architect and project manager.

After moving to the UK in 2015, Matteo joined an international naval architecture consultancy, where he went on to lead commercial activities for the superyacht sector.

In 2024, he joined RINA as Head of the North Europe Yachting Centre, based in Southampton. In this role, Matteo oversees regional business development and partnerships, ensuring clients receive high-quality technical support and responsive service.

He has previously served on the executive committee of Superyacht UK and is a member of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects.

Senior Associate - Yachts Team, Hill Dickinson

Technical and Environmental Director for the Superyacht Builders Association (SYBAss)

Founder / Managing Director, Mayfair Marine

As a Naval Architect and Marine Engineer, Howard has worked both at shipyards and as an Owner’s Representative, which means that he has a thorough understanding of the new construction and refit process from both perspectives. He has over 20 years’ experience of representing Owners at many respected shipyards.

Superyacht Group Manager - Mediterranean, Pantaenius

Michelle Van der Merwe joined Pantaenius in 2007 following a successful career in private medical insurance. Her current role is Superyacht Group Manager for the Mediterranean, leading a Monaco-based team responsible for Superyacht policy administration and sales. In her role, Michelle also represents Pantaenius at key European industry events, acting as an ambassador for the brand within the international superyacht community.