IYBA Appoints Andrew Parkinson as Executive Director
Andrew Parkinson, with extensive experience in yacht brokerage and marine publishing, joins IYBA to lead its strategic direction.
Image: Armada Club
Armada Club has appointed Justin Maxwell as chief executive officer and director as the members-only superyacht platform expands its fleet, founding membership and operating framework. More than 40 yachts are currently onboarding.
Armada Club has appointed Justin Maxwell as chief executive officer and director as the members-only superyacht platform moves into its next stage of fleet and membership development. Maxwell's immediate priorities include expanding the participating yacht network and founding membership while putting in place the operating framework needed to support the club's longer-term growth.
Maxwell brings more than two decades of experience across luxury hospitality, maritime businesses and high-growth companies. His previous work includes ultra-luxury residential development and environmental technology, while the appointment announcement says he has raised more than CAD 250 million in equity during his career.
The appointment comes as Armada moves beyond the early development of its membership concept and towards operating it across a larger network of yachts, owners and destinations. Maxwell's immediate brief also includes consultation with owners, brokers, owner representatives, management companies, captains and marinas as the platform develops.
Armada's current membership information states that more than 40 yachts are in the onboarding process, with participating vessels evaluated before joining the platform. Its criteria cover size and layout, chef and galley capability, crew and service standards, onboard amenities and overall condition, with 25 metres set as the minimum yacht length.
The club gives approved members access to participating superyachts for shorter private experiences including dining, business meetings and wellness while the yacht remains at berth or anchor. Owners retain control of availability around their private and charter calendars, allowing them to decide when a yacht can participate.
Armada describes itself as a members-only platform rather than a conventional yacht charter or brokerage business. It says sales and charter enquiries generated through member introductions are routed back to the relevant broker or management company, while the platform concentrates on shorter onboard experiences during periods when participating yachts are otherwise available.
That distinction will be central to Maxwell's task as the fleet grows, because the model depends on maintaining owner control while delivering a consistent experience across independently operated yachts. Maxwell has said he wants success to be measured by repeat use from both members and participating yacht owners rather than simply by the number of people joining the club.
Armada was introduced to the yachting industry in 2025 and has committed a minimum of 10 per cent of membership fees to initiatives supporting marine conservation, ocean preservation and crew mental wellbeing. Maxwell's appointment gives the company a dedicated operational lead as it attempts to turn its growing onboarding pipeline into an established network of participating superyachts.
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Andrew Parkinson, with extensive experience in yacht brokerage and marine publishing, joins IYBA to lead its strategic direction.
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