Manley Hopkinson - Managing Director

Manley Hopkinson has had a colourful career. As well as being a professional yachtsman for many years he was a former inspector in the Royal Hong Kong Marine Police, he had his own boat building and servicing company, served as an officer in the Royal Navy during the Gulf War, attained a degree in marine engineering and worked as a project manager for Granada Media, solving one of its major Year 2000 projects.

He was the skipper of Olympic Group, one of the 12 yachts competing in the incredible BT Global Challenge 2000-2001," the World's toughest yacht race" organised by Sir Chay Blyth. Racing around the globe the "wrong way" into the prevailing winds and currents, the identical yachts were crewed by amateurs from all walks of life with varied sailing experience.

Manley was one of the 3-man team "Initial Style Explorers" that won the inaugural race to the Magnetic North Pole, involving 400 miles on skis pulling a 120lb sledge, averaging 35 miles/day.

Manley also consults with international companies as a leadership consultant and a motivational speaker at senior management and board level.