Andrew Winch Receives 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award

Four decades of design recognised in Kitzbühel

Andrew Winch has received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Design & Innovation Awards during the Superyacht Design Festival in Kitzbühel. The award recognises a career that has extended from sailing yachts into some of the largest motor yachts, aviation interiors and private architecture.

Winch developed his interest in boats through family sailing before studying art and design in London. He later worked with Jon Bannenberg, whose studio became an important influence on his approach to yacht design and large-scale creative projects.

Andrew Winch Designs began with sailing yachts

Andrew and Jane Winch established Andrew Winch Designs in 1986 with an initial focus on sailing yachts. The studio delivered its first project within two years and went on to work on larger yachts including Cyclos III and White Rabbit as its reputation expanded.

Major later projects include the 99-metre Madame Gu, 156-metre Dilbar and 80-metre Excellence. The business broadened into aviation and architecture and rebranded as Winch Design in 2016, while retaining yacht design as a central discipline.

Studio now operates under employee ownership

Winch Design says it now employs around 165 people across its disciplines. The company moved to employee ownership in 2021, when Andrew Winch stepped down from the operating board and became founder and trustee director.

The award also reflects Winch’s support for craft and design education through organisations including the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust and Kingston University. His career links the modern growth of the superyacht design profession with a continuing emphasis on specialist craftsmanship and training.