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CharterWorld management and leadership:
Reia Stannard – Charter Director
After three years as a luxury charter consultant, Reia’s dedication to service and excellence has created an exclusive and loyal client base. Her attitude also encourages the high level of service you will receive from any of CharterWorld’s consultants. Reia grew up amongst boats and the water. "Sailing around on the family yacht was a normal way to spend the weekend." After traveling around the world for years in her younger days, she found herself once again becoming involved in yachting and began working as a head stewardess on large luxury yachts. "I found that luxury yachts were the best way to accomplish my desire to travel and experience new cultures as well as meet people." This superyacht charter experience was also valuable background in learning how great charter yachts work, from a management to crew performance and service perspective.
Reia's love of travel later compelled her to start a shore based career as an international luxury travel consultant at management level: "I get great satisfaction from organising the best possible vacation for each individual client". Reia brings to CharterWorld 'insider' charter industry experience, general luxury travel management experience, a Bachelor of Business Studies and an IATA qualification for international luxury travel.
Reia's favorite charter area: The Mediterranean
"Mediterranean yacht charter vacations provide a combination of stunning natural beauty mixed with a rich history, culture and energy."
Matt Somerville-Smith - Head of business development and yacht brokering.
Matt has always been around the yachting world. He learnt to walk on a yacht, and then grew up on one for 3 years as a boy cruising the pacific with his family. Since then boating has always been his main concern, from racing sailing dinghies and keelers to cruising on super-yachts. He has sailed all over the world, including working for several years on charter super-yachts as engineer, first mate as well as captained smaller yachts.
His non-marine experience includes practicing as a commercial law barrister and solicitor, and also internet and business development. He has a law degree (LLB) and has been admitted to the Bar, as well as a double major bachelor of arts degree (Political Science & History). He believes in promoting a happy, positive and energetic work environment for employees and clients. He is keen to share his skills and experience from on and off the water to make your charter experience the best that it can be.
Matt's favorite charter area: Oceania and the south pacific. "I love to really get away from it all and feel a sense of adventure when on a yacht charter vacation. The marine and shore-based ecology, from bird-life to whales is second to none in this un-crowded, exotic and stunningly beautiful area."
Craig Streeter - Yacht Charter Consultant
Craig brings comprehensive travel and yachting experience to his role as yacht charter consultant:
"I love my job! Everyday I get to help people realize their dreams and in the process I am able to combine two of my biggest passions, travel and sailing.”
Like many young sailors I started in dinghies as a schoolboy sailing in the local club and for my school. Now most of my sailing is done as a crew member on a Young 88 doing everything from harbor sprints to longer coastal races. One of the best things about being a part of this crew is that we've all known each other since our dinghy days and have been sailing together for many years so it's a lot of fun. After university, travel became the next priority and as a result I have traveled extensively through Europe, Asia and the South Pacific. My favorite places are the Mediterranean coastlines of France and Italy.
Professionally I am a fully qualified IATA travel agent and have been working successfully in the travel industry for many years. My dedication and performance led to a promotion to the role of Office Manager of one of the largest travel agencies in the Southern hemisphere. As a yacht charter consultant I am able to bring together my experience in travel and yachting. There is nothing better than being able to put the knowledge and experience of the things that you are most passionate about into making someone's sailing vacation a reality. I look forward to making your vacation dreams a reality."
Chelsea Somerville-Smith - Yacht Charter Consultant
Chelsea has an absolute love of the ocean and coastal areas stemming from growing up in, on and around the sea. She also loves traveling and meeting people from different cultures and backgrounds. After completing a Bachelor of Science in Geography (Climatology, Coastal studies, Tourism and Psychology) Chelsea managed a large hotel for several years before heading over seas to travel. While overseas, Chelsea worked in the Super yacht industry learning first hand the best locations for an unforgettable charter. Chelsea crossed the Atlantic twice and traveled extensively through both the Eastern and Western Mediterranean as well as the eastern coat of American, the Bahamas and the Caribbean. Chelsea joined the CharterWorld team in early 2005 and loves the challenge of finding the best suitable yacht for each of her clients. She is enthusiastic and committed to helping create a charter vacation to remember for a lifetime.
Chelsea's favorite charter area is the Eastern Mediterranean. "After spending 3 months in the eastern Mediterranean in 2004 I fell in love with Croatia, not only does Croatia boast crystal clear, clean blue sea, numerous bays, inlets and coves but also has an rich culture and history - it is a land of medieval towns and richly decorated palaces."
Clare Williams – Luxury Yacht Charter Assistant.
Working for one of the world’s largest yachting companies has really exposed me to the world of sailing, but more importantly to the world of travel! I have worked as Senior Reservations Consultant for a yacht charter company on Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays for the last five years and therefore this region is close to my heart. I love the untouched beauty of the region and the un-developed islands, and a few days out sailing around the islands was a common way to spend our weekends.
Having worked for a sailing company for so long, you would think I would be an experienced sailor, but far from it! I am still learning but I just love helping people plan their sailing holiday – it is extremely rewarding researching and helping people plan their perfect holiday of a lifetime. Sailing is such an exciting sport and such a relaxing pass-time, it really is a fun and challenging industry to be a part of.
I have also been lucky enough to visit and sail through some of the most magnificent cruising areas in the world such as Tahiti, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Croatia. My favourite cruising destination was Tahiti – with its blue lagoons, volcanic mountains, fabulous restaurants and friendly locals it really is a cruising area that has something for everyone.
I have also completed a Bachelor of Arts in Leisure Management in Sydney, Australia which gave me a great start to working in the travel and leisure industry.
Geoff Ford – Head of Technology
When it comes to the internet, various forms of code, technical prowess, and creativity of thought there is none better than Geoff. Geoff uses his considerable talents and experience to keep the CharterWorld website at the top. His talents have taken him to a level where he can pick and choose his work and we are very lucky to have him onboard. His interests include music, art, and good times. He has taken the arts to masters level at university.
If you have any questions, or would like to speak to one of the management team, please contact us using the form below:
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