It has been just over two months since I joined Oyster, and I’ve enjoyed every single day so far. Sailing has always been a part of my life. I grew up on the water with my family, and that early passion has never left me. It feels truly special to lead a company that shares the same spirit of sailing, adventure and pursuit of perfection, and I feel deeply proud to lead it.
With over three decades of automotive and marine manufacturing experience, I’ve seen first-hand how precision, process and teamwork can lift quality and efficiency to new levels. My initial priorities are to drive manufacturing excellence, strengthen key supplier relationships and foster a culture of continuous improvement, without ever compromising the craftsmanship and detail that make every Oyster both rare and exclusive. This is how we continue to earn our reputation as the Rolls-Royce of the sea.
In my first weeks, I’ve been visiting our yards across the UK and dedicated service centres in the Mediterranean, meeting colleagues who pour their pride into every detail of our yachts and speaking with owners at every opportunity. A highlight has been the Oyster Palma Regatta. Four unforgettable days with a fleet of 20 yachts. I joined a different crew each day, sailing with both new and long-time owners. The connection between our teams and our owners is unlike anything I’ve seen in the industry. A genuine feedback loop that helps us evolve every detail of our yachts and our service. It’s also what makes Oyster feel like a family.
The past few months have brought real momentum. The new Oyster 805 marks a new era for us as a company, introducing superyacht-inspired features, comfort and capability. The first 565 Series II has already launched, with the 595 Series II following close behind, both featuring new generation interiors, larger seascape windows and beautifully refined detailing throughout. Across the fleet, innovations such as the Tender Garage, Hard-Top Bimini and Centreboard configurations are making our yachts more versatile than ever.
Our service and support network continues to grow too. Building on the success of Palma, our new Barcelona Service Centre is now fully operational, supporting a record 45 Oysters based there this year. Being there for the Grand Opening and speaking with owners and crew reinforced how valuable dedicated support in the Mediterranean is. Together with our facilities in the UK, Antigua and Newport, USA, they form a truly global network, giving owners peace of mind wherever they sail. That same spirit of excellence extends to our suppliers and partners. We’re working closely with a trusted network of world-class suppliers on innovation to deliver smarter, more sustainable solutions that enhance performance and life on board.
Beyond the yachts themselves, Oyster is evolving into a complete ecosystem of ownership. From the newly launched Bluewater Academy to our established After Sales, Charter, Refit, Brokerage and Crew services, we now provide owners with seamless support at every stage of their journey. Owning an Oyster is designed to be effortless. We take care of every detail so owners can simply enjoy time on the water. Our events, from regattas to owner dinners, continue to grow, celebrating the community that sits at the heart of Oyster. The appetite for adventure has never been stronger, with exceptional demand for our new Arctic, Pacific, Viking and Cape Horn rallies, alongside the Oyster World Rally, which now has just two places remaining on the 2028 edition. To learn more about all of our Rallies, join us for our ‘Exploring the world with Oyster' webinar on Tuesday 25 November at 19:00 UTC.
Looking ahead, we’ll continue investing in our people, our models and our services, making every Oyster even more innovative, capable and rewarding to own. Owner and Chairman Richard Hadida remains deeply committed to Oyster’s long-term vision and continued investment, supported by Torsten Müller-Ötvös, former CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, who recently joined as Strategic Adviser to help guide our next chapter.
I look forward to meeting many more of you soon, at our yards, our events, or out on the water. Our next gathering will be the Owners’ Dinner at the Royal Thames Yacht Club in London on 29 November, an evening to celebrate everything that makes Oyster so special. We also look ahead to the Oyster World Rally 2026-27, where 23 Oysters, including Lush sailed by Richard Hadida, his wife, Ali, and their two-year-old son, Harry, will set off on the voyage of a lifetime. The World Rally remains the safest and most supported way to circumnavigate, and I look forward to joining the fleet in Antigua to wish them all fair winds.
On a personal note, my family and I are making Southampton our home, close to our UK yards and teams. Thank you to everyone who has welcomed us so warmly. I am proud to be part of this family and excited for the journey ahead.
Stefan Zimmermann Zschocke
Chief Executive Officer, Oyster Yachts
