With the 2023 yacht show season fast approaching and Adam set to be attending both the Cannes and Monaco events, we took the time to learn a little more about his career so far.
Ocean Independence is pleased to introduce Adam Sutton as a new addition to our Team of Sales and Purchase Consultants based in the UK. Adam, with extensive industry experience and an impressive professional network, will further strengthen Ocean Independence’s luxury yacht brokerage efforts in the UK and worldwide, working closely with our international Team of specialist Yacht Consultants.
OI: What is your history in yachting?
“During my scout days, I first attempted dinghy sailing. It was tough at the start, but with time, the passion grew undeniable, and I spent as much time as I could on the water.”
While many of his peers went on to university, Adam found a different path. “I landed a marketing role, and within a few years, I was heading marketing for eight industrial equipment companies.” But as his career in marketing grew, Adam felt there was more to life.
A transformative charity cycling trip along the length of Vietnam reignited Adam’s love for adventure. Shortly after, on a sailing holiday, he realised he could turn his passion into a career. “The staff saw I could skilfully handle the yachts and had the character required to be working on these boats. That was the push I needed.”
In a matter of months, Adam was in Greece working as a sailing instructor. A year later he was skippering flotillas in Turkey and eventually was appointed manager of the Activity Centre for the same company.
Comparable to running a busy deck on a large motor yacht, he coordinated all the luxury resort’s activity staff including dinghy sailing, windsurfing, ski boats, fitness instructors, tennis coaches, mountain bike leaders, and more. “It was a demanding role, but it equipped me with the experience I needed to succeed on superyachts.”
His next big move was to sail across the Atlantic and after some dock-walking he quickly joined the crew of the 38m schooner, Gloria. He then took up a role on 32m Necker Belle in the BVIs. Starting as a deckhand and second engineer, Adam quickly rose through the ranks, eventually becoming mate and often an acting Captain. “Working on Belle was fantastic. If we weren’t diving, kitesurfing, or sailing we would be hosting high profile guests on a private island.”
OI: What inspired you to become a Yacht Sales & Purchase Consultant?
After several years working on an eclectic mix of yachts including a 60m Lürssen, Adam moved to Quintessential or ‘Q5’, a 30-metre sailing catamaran spending most of its time in the Hamptons and sailing the Hudson.
After a full calendar year on board, Adam made the decision to pursue a yachting career ashore. “I decided to come back to the UK. I could have easily done another season or two, but I just felt the time was right to come ashore.”
Ending up on the UK’s South Coast, Adam found his niche in an opportunity that seemed tailored for him: new yacht sales, with a focus on 30-60 foot luxury sailing yachts and eventually the impressive fast sailing HH catamarans, ranging from 44 to 88 feet.
While he found great success selling in this category, it wasn’t just about sales for Adam. At his previous role, he emerged as the linchpin of their marketing operations, heading everything from the company’s digital presence to orchestrating boat shows. “Balancing marketing with brokerage provided a profound insight into how to showcase yachts effectively,” he mentions.
Now, as a part of the Ocean Independence Team, Adam feels his potential has been amplified. With an impressive foundation in both yachting and marketing, he’s perfectly poised to serve clients and build lasting industry connections. “It’s about pairing the right yacht with the right person and ensuring they experience the best of what we have to offer.”
