Since leaving the UK over 25 years ago to pursue a life on the ocean wave and to ski some of the best mountains in the world, I have been lucky enough to tick these boxes and a few more along the way.

The experiences gained throughout this journey are the cornerstone for SYM and they are the reason why the small business I started from a spare bedroom in 2007 has continued to grow into the established company that it is today.

My proudest moment - Captain for HM Queen Elizabeth ll

My scariest moment - Coming under attack by pirates off Somalia.

At SYM we definitely don't want to be the biggest, but we relentlessly strive to be the best.

As Compliance & Special Projects Manager at SYM, Linda takes care of all legal, insurance, flag state and classification societies related works in a varied and challenging role. In addition to this, she leads on multiple projects, including large-scale refits and periodic class & flag surveys.

Linda joined the SYM team in 2015, following 8 years with the Sunseeker London Group, where she gained valuable experience in aftersales and the wider yachting industry in both Central London and France. She brings extensive legal and contractual knowledge to the company, with a Diploma in Maritime Law. A fluent English, French, Latvian and Russian speaker, Linda is an absolute asset to the team.

Hardworking and vivacious, Linda is fascinated by the constant development of the Superyacht Industry – with over 10 years of experience in yachting, she’s still learning everyday.

A Côtes de Provence connoisseur, Linda loves nothing more than a day on the water with friends and a (small) glass of rosé...

Don’t be fooled by her tough Soviet exterior, word has it that she’s actually quite nice.

Having travelled extensively around Europe as a child, Damon realised greater adventures were to be had abroad than back at home in England.

Working in London as a tour operator allowed him to continue travelling, and when an opportunity came to move to Provence in 1992 he took it.

Damon has since worked in France as an accountant in many different environments such as: luxury cars, dressage horses, vineyards and olive oil.

He then heard by chance of an opportunity of working with luxury yachts at SYM.

Damon knew this was the right fit, because our clients and crew are all equally fascinating and rich with experiences from all around the world. This way Damon continues to get to travel albeit in a slightly different way.
 

Felicia originally joined the SYM team back in 2014 and has spent the past few years working remotely between France, Austria and Australia whilst finishing her International Business & Economics Studies.

With a strong accounting background stemming from working in her family owned accountancy firm, Felicia is also a seasoned traveller with excellent hands-on yachting industry knowledge having worked as a stewardess on boats for four seasons.

Adding to her well-travelled background, Felicia also spent two years working for a German company dealing with modern tracking devices to improve Marine Wildlife conservation, mainly in Australia and America.

Felicia possesses a natural German flair in efficiency, required in her role and re-joins the team as welcome addition given her energy, open-mindedness and spontaneity.

Nigel started his Engineering career as a motor mechanic, running a successful garage in Spain for a number of years before moving into the world of yachting.

He spent 6 years as Chief Engineer onboard several superyachts cruising throughout the Mediterranean and even further afield, with several Atlantic crossings under his belt. 

With his extensive engineering experience, Nigel then joined SYM Superyacht Management as Technical Support Engineer in 2008. 

He and Ben grew up across the road from one another and have remained firm friends ever since.  Nigel is a dedicated father of 4 young children. 

When he’s not in the depths of an Engine Room, he’s happy cooking up a storm in the kitchen or on the BBQ.
 

Having recently graduated from the International Business School of Nice with a  Bachelor in Business Administration, Johanna Cudiamat is the latest addition to the SYM team,  Johanna was born and raised in the South of France, so has first hand knowledge of the local area.  Her father and brother are both yacht Captains, and with a summer season, as crew on board a yacht, under her belt, she understands what it takes to get the job done, and the standards expected by yacht owners and guests. 

During her studies, Johanna interned at a yacht brokerage, assisting with marketing and admin, and enjoying the varied challenges that even an average day in yachting can bring.  This experience led Johanna  to make yachting her career, and we feel privileged to have her on board. She always goes the extra mile and always with a smile.  She is a ray of sunshine in the office and a great addition to the team. 

Growing up in various European countries including Holland and France, Scarlett is well travelled, enthusiastic, and highly motivated. Following a move to the UK to study European Business, this is where she remained for several years. After graduating, she moved to London to work in accounting for various luxury brands. Relocating back to France in 2020, Scarlett became client relations manager for a luxury handbag company until joining the yachting industry recently with a move to SYM.

Ben and Joseph have been friends and colleagues for many years.

Joseph began his yachting career in 1997, working as Lead Deckhand onboard a variety of superyachts, including the 65 metre Feadship “Cedar Sea”, 61 metre “Il Vagabondo” and a 25 metre Ferretti. It was onboard the Ferretti that Joseph first worked with Captain Ben Young, who employed him as Deckhand for 4 years.

Continually amazed at Joseph’s drive and by the pride that he took in his work, Ben got in touch with Joseph as soon as a permanent position came up at SYM in 2011. 

Hard working, conscientious and always going the extra mile to ensure the job is done properly, Joseph is an asset to the SYM Deck Department.

When he’s not maintaining the SYM fleet, Joseph is a keen basketball player, regularly shooting hoops in the South of France

Ariel brings extensive superyacht experience to SYM, having worked and lived onboard yachts for 14 years before joining our team in 2012.

As Deckhand and Steward onboard some of the finest superyachts in the world, from the 75 metre Amels “Montkaj” to 71 metre Lürssen “The One” to 61 metre “Il Vagabondo” and 57 metre “Bad Girl”, Ariel has cruised all over the Western and Eastern Mediterranean, the Caribbean and the USA.

Coming from a superyacht background where high standards are absolutely paramount, Ariel carries out works with the utmost quality and precision, whilst his professionalism and conscientiousness is vital to the SYM team.

Ariel is an accomplished guitar player and can also often also be found with a microphone in hand, being a keen singer and karaoke enthusiast.