IBI Summit
The inaugural IBI Summit in association with Carlsquare will feature unique insight from M&A and procurement specialists, boatbuilder CEOs and industry investors. With its core theme of Value Creation this prime networking and knowledge sharing event is the definitive forum for C-suite shipyard, supply chain executives and industry investors.
When: Wednesday July 2nd 2025
Where: 10 York Road, Waterloo, London
Situated on London’s South Bank – Located on the 16th floor with views over London’s iconic skyline.
This full-day event delivering invaluable insight will include a networking lunch, refreshments throughout the day and finish with drinks and canapes on the 16th floor roof terrace.
KEY SESSIONS:
Economic focus
Carlsquare’s Managing Partner, Dr. Arnold Holle will put the current economic situation into context, benchmarking against previous market cycles to assess recovery timelines and the longer-term outlook for the industry.
M&A focus
In-depth analysis from M&A specialists Carlsquare, investigating recent M&A transactions including key learnings to determine the future M&A landscape. .
Keynote
IBI Editor, Ed Slack sits down with Brunswick CEO Dave Foulkes to discuss the drive to increase affordability; changing supply chain dynamics and the impact of trade wars.
CEO perspective
Boat builders will take centre stage in two panel sessions:
1. Reinventing the Boatbuilding Business Model
Key discussion topics:
- Does the industry need to re-evaluate the traditional builder–supplier relationship to foster greater collaboration and resource sharing.
- How can emerging technologies—such as robotics and additive manufacturing—enhance productivity and innovation?
- Is it time to reassess the global manufacturing footprint to optimize cost, efficiency, and responsiveness?
- How can the industry balance increasing demand for product customization with the need to maintain affordability?
- Beyond production: should the focus shift from simply building boats to cultivating compelling, enduring brands?
Panellists: Gianguido Girotti, CEO, Beneteau Boat Group; Nicolas Lapp, Co-founder, Sunreef; Marco Valle, CEO, Azimut | Benetti; and Jan-Erik Viitala, Founding Partner, Axopar Boats.
2. Reimagining Legacy Concepts for the Modern Consumer
Key discussion topics:
- Is the boating sector hindered by an outdated or misaligned public image?
- In a world of time-constrained, asset-rich consumers, how can boating effectively compete with other aspirational lifestyle markets?
- What strategies can broaden appeal and increase diversity among future generations of boaters?
- How does the shift from ownership to experience-based consumption impact business models and marketing?
- Can technology act as a catalyst to redefine user engagement and enhance the boating experience?
- With a customer journey often seen as fragmented and costly, what innovations are needed to streamline, simplify, and elevate the end-to-end consumer experience?
Panellists: Ashley Highfield, CEO, Oyster Yachts; Jasper Smith, CEO, Arksen; Norbert Leifeld, MD, Bavaria Yachts; Erna Rusi, CEO, Saxdor Yachts.
Investor perspective
Top industry investors discuss investment rationale, industry outlook and models for success in marine in a special session moderated by Carlsquare’s Dr. Arnold Holle.
Charting the course for the boat builder of the future
McKinsey & Company’s Michael Harney and Filippo Gozzi investigate the levers for value creation, setting the ambition on share of wallet with a life-cycle view of the customer spotlighting opportunities for shipyards in the wider yachting ecosystem. The session will explore ways to cope with a changing consumer base; the capacity for digital engineering technologies to radically accelerate development time; and defining the boatbuilder archetypes of the future.