Metstrade Names Four Marine Leaders for November Workforce Panel

Four senior leaders join an Amsterdam industry programme

Women in the Marine Industry International has named four speakers for its panel and networking breakfast at Metstrade 2026, scheduled for Wednesday 18 November at RAI Amsterdam. The event brings senior executives from navigation technology, marine retail, yacht manufacturing and professional sailing into a shared discussion about skills and leadership across the industry. Although the programme covers marine businesses of different sizes, its workforce questions matter to superyacht yards and specialist contractors.

The announced participants are Fiona Richardson of Navico Group, Paulee Day of West Marine, Victoria Low of The Magenta Project and Erna Rusi of Saxdor Yachts. Their careers span human resources, company leadership, training and sales. Organisers describe a discussion about opportunities and the changing workplace, rather than a product launch or a session intended solely for one part of the boating market.

The speakers bring different approaches to talent

Fiona Richardson, vice president of global human resources at Brunswick's Navico Group, works across organisational change, recruitment, leadership and company culture. Her experience is relevant to equipment manufacturers whose engineers and technical teams support large yacht construction, even if those businesses also serve smaller vessel markets.

West Marine chief executive Paulee Day took the top role in November 2025 after holding senior legal, human resources and operational positions, and previously working with MarineMax. Victoria Low leads The Magenta Project, which supports mentoring and leadership development for women in professional sailing and the wider marine industry. Together, their perspectives connect recruitment to retention and career progression.

Manufacturing growth and mentoring complete the line-up

Erna Rusi, chief executive of Saxdor Yachts, joins the programme with experience in growing a yacht-building business. The official release references the company's reported €180 million revenue in 2025 and its acquisition by Malibu Boats in March 2026. These figures describe Saxdor's development, not the financial performance of the whole superyacht sector.

The Magenta Project reports having supported more than 300 women through mentoring and professional development, with another 100 participating when the announcement was made. Such programmes can be relevant across the marine supply chain because yacht builders, refit yards and specialist suppliers often compete for engineers, designers and experienced operational managers. Attracting capable people is only one part of the challenge; retaining them matters too.

Registration and education funding add practical outcomes

The breakfast is free to attend but requires advance booking, including event-specific registration even for visitors who already hold Metstrade admission. Organisers warn that the gathering has exceeded its capacity in earlier years. The date falls within the 17–19 November exhibition, giving delegates an opportunity to connect workforce discussions with other industry suppliers and builders at the show.

The organisers are also seeking contributions towards a US$25,000 fundraising target for Room to Read, an educational nonprofit. This is a goal rather than a completed fundraising outcome. The official September announcement confirms the speakers, 18 November date and registration conditions; it does not guarantee a place for anyone who has not booked or verify future decisions made at the event.