New board composition
Jan-Bart Verkuyl, CEO of Feadship Royal Van Lent, is the new president of SYBAss. Following the board elections at the Annual General Meeting in Monaco in September 2025, and the subsequent division of roles during the SYBAss board meeting in Fort Lauderdale last week, Verkuyl succeeds Michael Breman, who will remain on the board as past president.
The new vice-chair is Bas Peute of Vitters, who was recently elected to the board to represent sailing yacht builders. Michelle Jones of Delta Marine has been re-elected and will continue to serve as the association’s treasurer. Giovanna Vitelli of Azimut|Benetti and Massimo Perotti of Sanlorenzo have also been re-elected to represent the members’ interests for the next three years. Theo Hooning was re-elected and will continue as a non-executive board member next year, having announced that he will step down as secretary general by the end of 2025.
During the General Assembly, members expressed their gratitude to Michael Breman and Theo Hooning with a standing ovation, thanking them for their dedication to the association and the industry over the last 18 years.
Michael Breman stated, “It has been a privilege to represent SYBAss members since the association’s inception, and now it is time for fresh leadership.”
New executive director
Robert van Tol will be the new executive director of SYBAss effective 1st of January 2026. Following his past 7 years successfully establishing and scaling up the Water Revolution Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to driving environmental progress within the yachting sector, he brings fresh energy and a modern perspective to SYBAss.
Building on SYBAss’s position in the current maritime world, Van Tol’s appointment reflects a strategic shift towards a future-focused and proactive approach. Embedding a stronger focus on pragmatic steps forward in respect of sustainability, also in response to a recent member survey.
Robert van Tol stated, “It is an absolute privilege to take on this exciting role. New builds are a key driver of innovation, maximising both opportunities and responsibilities that come with each new project to continuously move the needle, both for product and process. I look forward to working with such a prominent group of builders to ensure a resilient future.”
Theo Hooning, reflecting on his successor, said, “Robert already has a deep-rooted understanding of the SYBAss mission and operations from his past involvement. He is well placed to carry the organisation forward and through the new challenges that face the industry and builders in particular.”
As Hooning looks back on his own tenure, he remarked, “I am proud of what SYBAss has accomplished in the past 18 years. I look forward to seeing this powerful organisation continue to thrive.”
Closing statement from the new president
Jan Bart Verkuyl shared: “I am honoured to take on the presidency of SYBAss and look forward to working with the board and our members to continue to advance the superyacht industry and address the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. I am committed to building on the strong foundation laid by my predecessors and ensuring SYBAss remains a leading voice in the maritime world. I also want to extend my sincere gratitude to Michael Breman and Theo Hooning for their exceptional leadership and tireless efforts in professionalising our industry through SYBAss. I am particularly eager to collaborate with Robert van Tol, our new executive director, as we embark on this next chapter.”
About SYBAss
Since its founding in 2007, SYBAss has grown into the foremost entity in the superyacht industry, operating at the highest levels of maritime discourse and regulations. It holds consultative status with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Liaison A status with ISO, and strong relationships with Class societies, Flag States, and other regulatory and representative bodies.
SYBAss’s presence on various sub-committees and working groups at IMO has led to SYBAss shaping international maritime regulations that ensure they take into account the unique industry needs and operational profiles of superyachting. As such SYBAss represents not only the interests of its 25 members but also the superyacht industry as a whole. As the maritime industry tackles issues such as safety, environmental concerns, and greenhouse gas emissions, it is more important than ever that the superyacht industry is heard and its characteristics taken into account when crafting rules and regulations.