Anthony Bishop

Anthony Bishop comes from a Sales and Marketing background, but in September 2016 when he saw Team Windcraft was for sale, a spark ignited in him that couldn’t be put out- his passion for design, boats, sailing and the Windcraft brand pulled him towards the company.

Starting out in the IT industry, progressing to helping start-ups get up and running and tackle new markets, Anthony brings extensive Sales and Marketing experience and expertise to the Windcraft team.

A Kiwi who grew up in Christchurch and then Wellington, Anthony first sailed in an Optimist built by his grandfather. His passion for boats, sailing and the brand were already a natural fit, and his approach to the business is as much that of a boat owner and enthusiast, as it is as Managing Director.

Anthony also loves to fly aeroplanes and ride motorbikes.

Ric Hawkins

Ric has been sailing since he was 8 and skippered his first yacht as a professional when he was just 15.His passion is performance sailing and he has been involved in a number of regattas in Australia and also overseas including the U S, France, Italy, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Denmark and England. Along with racing, Ric spent 10 years as a yacht broker.

Whether it’s helping beginners with parking their new yacht in a marina berth, encouraging clients to give racing a go, or giving experienced sailors “hands on” help fine-tuning their racing technique, Team Windcraft’s Ric Hawkins loves sharing his passion for sailing.

When Ric is not out sailing – which is rare – his current favourite pastime is being at home with his little daughter. Because of her Ric hasn’t been doing much of his other hobby – ski ing.

Robert Orr

Robert has been a keen sailor since sailing Manly Juniors out of Balmoral as a child. He is an avid twilight sailor on Pittwater with Woody Point on his Etchell being his favourite.

Robert ensures the Service Centre runs smoothly and efficiently and is proud of the complete after-sales service we offer our customers. The one-stop service centre is staffed with a highly skilled team of marine specialists. Roberts outstanding management skills, love of boating and technical skill combine to ensure that customers and their boats are looked after to a high standard.

Robert has extensive experience in staff management, recruitment, training, sales and customer relations gained in many industries.

Robert loves music – especially live in quirky small venues. A great traveller Robert is as happy exploring Sydney as he is countries across the globe.

Ross Turner

Inheriting his love of boats and yachting from his father – Ross developed this passion on lasers at school and while yacht racing out of Cowes and Plymouth.

After a degree in Biology, Psychology and Marketing Ross was an account handler in London’s advertising industry. But the call of the sea led him to complete his Yachtmaster Offshore qualifications and move to Australia where he joined Windcraft in 2011.

Ross project manages the commissioning of each new boat – liaising with owners up to and following the boat’s arrival in Australia. Ross works with our network of expert contractors to ensure that when Windcraft hand over a new yacht to our clients, we are confident it is exactly what they want and to the high standard expected.

Ross sails at every opportunity and loves being part of the Soling fleet with his work colleagues.

Ross is a keen if somewhat accident prone snowboarder and has a very large dog.

Robert Sturch

Robert has been sailing most of his life . Highlights include three years spent cruising the Pacific and competing in three Sydney to Hobart Races

He has been working in the marine industry for 20 years, specialising in technical logistics in the Aftersales area but also in finance. Robert has recently joined Windcraft with a goal to improve the financial operation of the Service Centre.

What you probably don’t know about Robert : He loves travelling and is a keen triathlete with a particular passion for cycling. Robert and his wife have just had their first baby!

Richard Brierly Jones

Richard,his wife and daughter spent 5 years living and cruising on their Hallberg Rassy. Their adventure took them from the icebergs of Alaska at 59 deg North to to the tropical waters of Australia.

Richard is an entrepreneur with a background in IT. He has owned many businesses and lived all over the world. Because of this he understands the importance of customer needs and excells at customer service.

Richard may sound very English but he has worked as a Jackaroo on a remote outback cattle station and loved it!

Tom Marsh

Tom has been a sailor as long as he can remember. An instructor in both the UK and Sardinia picking up many qualifications along the way including Yachtmaster Ocean. Tom enjoyed a few years working as a crew trainer with the Clipper Round the Yacht Race. He has also spent a few years skippering private yachts in Europe.

Tom’s career path led him to project management of Yacht refits at Berthon International in the UK. On moving to Australia he worked at Noakes Boatyard in Sydney before joining the team at Windcraft.

What you may not know about Tom – he is a keen road cyclist and that is one of the reasons he is loving his move to Australia – more sunshine more cycling. Tom is also a keen cook.

Iain Bishop

From the chilly Scottish lochs of Scotland to the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, Iain has been sailing and teaching sailing from a young age. A keen racer, a highlight was being part of the winning team at Cowes Week Regatta in the Etchells class.

Iain’s career has always focused on boats, including being a deckhand and head of water sports on a 65m Superyacht based in Monaco. One of Windcraft’s longest-standing employees, he joined the company in 2012 and his attention to detail, customer communication skills and depth of knowledge is invaluable.

You may not know that aside from Sailing Iain is also a triathelete and is very interested in cars – he has been known to take the motor in his car apart and put it back together again…just for fun.

In 2019 Iain accepted a role to lead the Windcraft Service Team based in New Zealand and  returned home to Auckland, the town in which he was born.

Dave Griffin

Dave Griffin is a renowned third generation shipwright and qualified marine surveyor. Boats and boat building are in Dave’s blood. Since an apprenticeship with his father and grandfather Dave has travelled all over the globe building racing, cruising and timber boats. Now he is enjoying being back home on Pittwater and working with the Windcraft brands.
Windcraft are privileged to have a shipwright of Dave’s calibre on the team to commission and look after owners boats.

Dave in 2018 is enjoying a sabbatical with his wife Rosemary – cruising to the Whitsundays in their beloved Dehler “Alfresco”

When Dave isn’t working he loves above anything else to spend time with his family.

Sue Whitlock

Sue joined Windcraft in 2014 and after an urban up bringing , feels lucky to have the opportunity to work in such a beautiful location. Sue loves to twilight either on a Soling on a Wednesday or with the Ladies RPAYC.

A qualified management accountant, Sue has 20 years experience in accountancy roles in various industries in the UK and Australia.

Sue’s focus is to provide the accurate/meaningful data to enable smooth running and planning for the future. She is motivated by the challenge to improve processes and systems.

Sue is a keen ballroom dancer, loves a bit of Latin American dancing and well, any dancing really! Happy when busy Sue is training as a Celebrant.

Lisa Spray

Lisa works at Windcraft two days a week in Accounts Support, processing and reconciling invoices. She enjoys the systematic and satisfying nature of her work.

Lisa has a varied career background from working in the airline industry and customer service, to roles in office management.

Working part time gives Lisa an enviable work life balance, sharing her time between Windcraft and her family.
Lisa joined Team Windcraft in late 2015 and very quickly began enjoying working with “great people” and understandably loves the beautiful surrounds of the Bayview office.

She says she is proud to work for a company with a “reputation for professionalism, honesty and efficiency”.

Lisa has recently got the golfing bug in a big way and is already a keen competitor.

Gavin Ward

Windcraft are very pleased to be expanding our sales and service support in Queensland with the appointment of Gavin Ward to the team. Gavin’s passion for yachting, impressive professional background and his friendly personality makes him a perfect fit for the Windcraft team.

Gavin is always enthusiastic to share his experience and enthusiasm so if you have any questions about any aspect of Windcraft or our range of Sailing & Power yachts so would be happy to hear from you. He can be reached on 0418 402 809 and gavin.ward@windcraftyachts.com.

Cameron Burch

With countless hours spent as a kid sailing and fishing aboard the family’s home built 3.5 metre dinghy, Cameron found a love of the ocean at an early age and enjoys any time he can in, and on the water.  As keen sailor, surfer, fisho and scuba diver, Cam combined his personal and professional interests by joining the marine industry 16 years ago and has a diverse background across composites, marine electronics, engines and new boat sales. As a keen racer, when he’s not banging on about boats, Cam enjoys mountain biking, craft beer and banging on about boats, over a cold craft beer!

Jade Cole

A Melbourne local Jade Cole heads up Windcraft sales from the office at the Royal Brighton Yacht Club.

A notable sailor and advocate of women in sailing – Jade is aiming to become the first Victorian woman to compete in 10 Sydney to Hobarts – watch the space on the CYCA Honour board! With 7 already notched up Jade is well on her way.

Jade’s experience in the marine industry, local knowledge and personable nature mean a great fit to the Windcraft team.

With sales experience in the marine industry, Jade was attracted to the unique approach that Windcraft takes along the customer journey and is proud to join at this significant stage in its development. A passion for yacht racing with a team and love of cruising with her family enables Jade to connect well with customers across the sailing spectrum.

When not on the water or in the office – Jade loves to shop, and shop – particularly for shoes!

James Willing

Having grown up dingy sailing and owning trailer sailors boating has been in my blood for most of my life. After going to maritime school in Nelson, I have worked both locally on small cruise ships and internationally on Superyachts. I have a passion for all kinds of boating, from dingy sailing through to blue water game fishing. Having attended the last Americas cup in Bermuda I am very much looking forward to seeing the Kiwis keep hold of the auld mug next year at the Americas cup. When I’m not working, I have a passion for leaning about the latest and greatest marine electronics and all things techie. Or getting out camping and tramping in our great outdoors.

Mark Seabrook

Having built boats as a younger man and holding the dream to one day own his own boat, it became reality three years ago when Mark and his wife took ownership of a fine example of a Lotus 10.6.

It wasn’t long before the maintenance grew into a hobby and he enjoys working on every aspect of the boat, which can be endless, but not so the budget! Coincidently his passion for working in and around yachts lead Mark to Windcraft Service here in Auckland.

Mark has some adventurous blue water and harbour racing experience, however cruising the world class Hauraki Gulf right on his doorstep will be a focus for many years to come.

Surfing is another passion of his, so anchoring just off Whangapoua Beach on the east coast of Great Barrier Island, with a light off-shore breeze, an open ocean swell and the surf an easy paddle distance away – is Mark’s ultimate.