Ian Biles
Master Mariner BEng (HONS) MA CENG
Ian started sailing with his father at the age of 12 and, as a result, went to sea when he finished school. He sailed world wide for 13 years in a range of commercial ships and spent his leave working on board sailing yachts (up to 150ft) around the UK and in the Mediterranean. Throughout this time Ian studied for his commercial qualifications and he passed his Class 1 Master's Certificate in 1984.
In 1988 Ian was recruited by Shell International Marine whereupon he returned to University sponsored by them on an Honours degree course in Naval Architecture. Following this he went on to take a Master's Degree in Business Management.
Ian started his own marine surveying and consultancy business in 1992. The company was developed to offer technical advice and services to Owners, Operators, Managers, Banks and Insurance Companies in both leisure and commercial marine sectors.
In 1995, working closely with a London based Underwriter, Ian developed a Risk Management programme specifically for large yachts. The programme has carried out risk management reviews of over 200 different superyachts with Ian having personally carried out over 100 of these.
Ian is possibly one of the most qualified marine surveyors in the business
Alan Dale
Born in Swindon and raised in Blackpool, Alan began an engineering cadetship with Cunard line in 1974 studying at Riverside college of Technology. In 1978 on completion of his cadetship Alan joined the ocean liner Queen Elizabeth 2 as extra junior 5th Engineer.
He moved to Plymouth and with the conversion of the QE2 from the steam turbines to diesel, Alan was one of the first people to achieve both steam and motor qualifications without changing ship. These qualifications were attained at Plymouth College of Technology.
Rising through the ranks to Ship's Technical Services Manager, he was involved in a number of the ship's refurbishment projects, culminating in the refurbishment of crew accommodation and recreational facilities whilst the ship was in full service. This involved very close liaison with the MCA due to the extent of the work and the problems maintaining structural fire protection whilst cruising with a full passenger carry.
In 1997 Alan joined the Cunard ISM project team as Technical Adviser. After implementation of the ISM code within the Cunard fleet it was time for a change and, seeing a position advertised in Lloyd's list, Alan joined Nigel Burgess Ltd (NBL) in January 1998.
For the past 12 years Alan as worked as Technical Manager and more recently Fleet Mangers at Burgess during which time he has worked on numerous refit and new build projects. Alan has also worked with the MCA Steering Committee on development of qualifications for yacht engineers.
Fred Elliott
BSc
Born in Glasgow, Fred moved to Millport, an Island on the Firth of Clyde, at an early age them moved back to study Naval Architecture at Glasgow University.
Graduating with BSc in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering in 1981 he then joined Yarrow Shipbuilders design office during the construction programme of the Type 22 and 23 frigates for the Royal Navy.
Five years later, and after gaining his Chartered Engineer status by spending time in the Shipyard Production Departments, Fred moved to London to work for Carnival Cruise Line's consultants, and spent time in shipyards in both Denmark and Sweden during the build of the passenger vessels Jubilee, Holiday and Celebration.
Fred then joined P&O marine consultants, Three Quays Marine Services, and he was involved in the technical and project management aspects of several commercial cruise liner and yachts projects from 50 to 160 meters, including one of the first yachts to comply with the MCA of Practice for Yachts. During this time Fred also worked on various committees and study groups for the MCA, IMO and NATO including development of the MCA code of practice for yachts.
After 12 years with Three Quays he left the position of General Manager Naval Architecture and now works with Nigel Burgess managing aspects of their new construction projects.
Chris Fairgrieve
BSc (Eng), CEng, SCMS, AIIMS
Chris learnt to sail on a '505' dinghy in Tenby in 1957 while is army father was based in Pembrokeshire 9as it was then!). During the school holidays he worked as a deckhand on the Caldy Island support vessel.
In 1967 he joined the navy as a Weapons Electrical Engineering officer. After gaining his engineering degree at the Royal Naval Engineering College in Portsmouth he served in submarines and surface ships.
In 1980 he left the navy to pursue a second career in the IT industry. Subsequent jobs have included project managing weapon developments in the Sea Harrier Aircraft, developing integrated databus systems for naval vessels and aircraft and writing a guide for the RN on how to design their combat systems. In the late 1980's he ran his own company 'Smart Power' developing a power monitoring system for yachts and powerboats. During this period he edited a guide for installation of electrical cabling and equipment for the BMF and wrote a number of articles in the yachting press on batteries and cathodic protection. He finished his IT career working with the DuPont chemical company in Geneva, one of the main partner suppliers to the Alinghi syndicate.
In the last 3 years Chris has moved backed to working full time with his first love - yachts. He is now a IIMS qualified marine surveyor working as a consultant for Maritime Services International in Gosport. In this role he carries out operational surveys on superyachts and writes/edits educational material for the recreational marine marketplace.
Chris is a qualified RYA Yachtmaster and still harbours an ambition to spend a year sailing across the Pacific (wife permitting!)
Jonathan Hadley-Piggin
BSc (Hons) MA Dip Law MINI MRIN MHCMM ACI Arb Solicitor
Jonathan Hadley-Piggin is a partner at Ashfords, a major national law firm in the UK. Jonathan attended Nautical College sponsored by BP Shipping where he gained a class III Certificate of Competency. Following time at sea he joined the Royal Navy and attended Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, gaining a commission in the Royal Navy and, sponsored by the Navy, read for a degree in Maritime Commerce and Law at the University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology (UWIST). In the Royal Navy he specialised in navigation serving in frigates and nuclear submarines before leaving the Navy to pursue a career in law. Jonathan trained with the 'City' firm from Stephenson Harwood where following qualification he specialised in commercial charter disputes and salvage. In 1997 he moved out of London to concentrate on the leisure sector acting for yacht owners, insurers and marine companies both in the UK and abroad. Jonathan is a supporting member of the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA) and an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (PYA) and the Honourable Company of Master Mariners.
Jacqueline Lyne
Jacqueline Lyne was born in 1964 in South Africa. She graduated from the University of Cape Town with a degree in Microbiology and Biochemistry after she spent 3 years as a medical research scientist specialising in immunobiology and radiobiology.
In 1987 Jacqueline sailed to the Caribbean on a 60ft sailing vessel. She has gained extensive experience in the maritime environment having spent 14 years working on both sailing and motor yachts. Employed as a chef, purser and chief stewardess on both private and charter yachts she has travelled widely covering over 150,000 nautical miles.
In 2000 Jacqueline started her own Company 'Living Boats' specialising in project management and owner's representation for new build projects and also designing for operational areas of yachts under construction. In total Jacqueline completed 15 new build projects ranging in size from 40m - 134m with many prestigious clients including 6 Royal van Lent Feadship builds. Other yachts Jacqueline has been involved with are the Maltese Falcon which is renowned as one of the largest sailing yachts in the world and also the 134m Fincantieri motor yacht Serene
In 2007 Jacqueline branched out to set up and run Edmiston Yacht Management and is currently managing a large fleet of operational yachts whilst overseeing the build of 2 80m Feadship motor yachts.
Other recent projects include overseeing the build of motor yacht Tango a 78 m Feadship operationally managed by her company following a successful delivery in 2011.
In addition to Edmiston Yacht Management Jacqueline has expanded and set up Edmiston Crew Recruitment. This Company has been running successfully since 2008 and employs 24 people in the EYM and Recruitment teams.
Andrew S Roy, FCA
Andrew is a principal of the accountants Baker Tilly Isle Of Man LLC. The firm is an independent member of Baker Tilly International which ranks number 8 in the world of accounting networks.
Andrew was educated at the Nautical College Pangbourne then qualified as a Chartered Accountant with a practice firm in Birmingham. As well as being a principal in the accountancy practice he is a MD of Bennett Roy Maritime Ltd, he has also written a number of articles and spoken at conferences on matters of yachting.
Outside the office Andrew races his own yacht and is a member of the Royal Ocean Racing Club and the Corinthian yacht Club, Marblehead, Massachusetts and is past Commodore of The Isle Of Man Yacht Club.