Rear Admiral Scott Lidbetter, Non-Executive Chairman
Scott Lidbetter left the Royal Navy as a Rear Admiral after a successful career spanning three decades. Scott has subsequently specialised in the superyacht and corporate security sectors where he has gained significant non-executive experience. His extensive international background has been focused on business development into new markets and strategic consultancy. Scott is a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Security Professionals, a Freeman of the City of London, and holds Queen’s Commendations for Valuable Service and Valuable Service in the Air. His current directorships include chairman of the Fleet Air Arm Officers’ Association and non-executive chairman of the maritime security company Veritas International Consultancy.
Charles Nicholas Keith Birkett, CEO
Charlie Birkett began his career on yachts 15 years ago, where he operated first as crew and later as Captain. Subsequently, his land-based yachting experience has been wide-ranging; from sales, management and project management to logistics and fleet management. Discovering that his expertise lay in business, Charlie co-founded YCO five years ago with Gary Wright and John Clark, and since May 2008 has been an Executive Board member of the PLC.
Charles was appointed Executive Director of YCO Group plc on 28 May 2008 and Chief Executive Officer on 19 October 2009.
Ian Petts, ACA, Group Finance Director
Prior to joining YCO in 2008, Ian Petts was Financial Controller and Company Secretary for
Hambledon Mining Group plc, an AIM quoted company. Since joining YCO in 2008, Ian has played an
integral part in the financial management of the Group, its three subsidiary companies and the
restructuring of the Group that has seen it return to profitability. A graduate of Cranfield University,
Ian is a Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales having qualified with
Deloitte & Touche for whom he worked between 2002 and 2005.
Gary Wright, Executive Director
Gary Wright has over 30 years’ experience as a Captain on board high profile superyachts and as Project Coordinator and Project Manager on a number of significant construction and refit projects. As CEO for an America’s Cup Challenge team in the 31st Americas Cup, Gary oversaw all team activity in the three years leading up to the race. An experienced yachtsman, businessman and broker, Gary acts as an Executive Director on the Board of this AIM listed company, and is the Managing Partner of the Monaco based Brokerage and Management subsidiary YCO.
Gary was appointed Executive Director of YCO Group plc on 28 May 2008.
Rishi Malliwal, Non-Executive Director
Rishi qualified as a Solicitor in 2001 at the College of Law, York before becoming an Associate at Tollers LLP. He joined Sprecher Grier Halberstam LLP (SGH) in 2006 where became a partner in the corporate team in 2008. Rishi specialises in corporate finance transactions for public and private companies and is an Associate of the Chartered Management Institute and a Member of the Law Society of England and Wales.
Rishi was appointed Non-Executive Director of YCO Group on 22 September 2010.