Yachting Art Magazine

The British group specialising in boat building (RS, RS Sailing, Cheetah Marine outboard catamarans, etc.) has announced a change in its management team, with the appointment of Ben Willows as its new CEO, responsible for overseeing its strategic development.

RS Marine Group has officially appointed Ben Willows as its new Managing Director. With over twenty years of experience in the maritime sector and leading top organisations, he takes over from a team that has made a lasting mark on the group's growth. His arrival is part of a process of restructuring and expansion, driven by the ambition to further unify the group's entities under a common vision.

Ben Willows is no stranger to the nautical world. Passionate about sailing since a young age, he says his relationship with the RS brand began in 1997, when he was sailing an RS200 at the Northampton Sailing Club.

Since then, his career has been enriched by international competitions and family adventures aboard an RS800. This personal connection with the brand is an asset in understanding user expectations and preserving the community spirit that distinguishes RS Marine Group. His professional experience was gained at UKSA, a renowned charity organisation in maritime training and youth development.

As CEO, he helped expand the institution's influence, which now supports more than 11,000 young people a year, combining maritime learning and personal development.

At RS Marine Group, Ben Willows' mission is to continue the growth while respecting the company's DNA: innovation, accessibility and a sense of community. In his view, the diversity of the offering – ranging from small dinghies for beginners to Cheetah Marine working catamarans and RS Pulse electric boats – sets RS apart in the market. He refers to a ‘complete nautical journey’ that few manufacturers can claim.

RS Marine Group brings together several complementary brands: RS Sailing, the world leader in small sailing boats; RS Electric Boats, committed to clean marine mobility; and Cheetah Marine, renowned for its high-performance catamarans. Together, these entities offer around 30 models, from the RS Aero to the Pulse 63, including power catamarans, with a constant focus on sustainability and performance.

Ben Willows' new management style will be collaborative. He will work alongside managing directors Jon Partridge (RS Sailing), Alex Newton-Southon (RS Electric Boats) and Bas Edmonds (Cheetah Marine), all long-standing figures within the company. Everyone welcomes Ben's arrival, which they believe will bring greater consistency and a unified vision to the group.

For Ben Willows, the objective is clear: ‘To structure RS Marine Group for the challenges of tomorrow, without losing what makes the brand strong: a close-knit community and products designed to give everyone access to the sea.’ He plans to divide his time between the group's key sites in Romsey, Cowes, Hamble and Ventnor, ensuring a local presence across all activities.

This new chapter is generating enthusiasm within the group. The heads of the various entities see this appointment as an opportunity to strengthen synergies and pursue innovation, particularly in the electric boat and professional catamaran sectors. The focus is on continuity of values while preparing the group to seize new opportunities in a rapidly changing nautical market.

The arrival of Ben Willows marks a pivotal moment for RS Marine Group: a return to his roots for a passionate seafarer, but also a strategic step forward for a group firmly focused on the future.