Marine business
development, freelance.
I helped build one of the UK's major boat brands from the inside. Since going freelance, I've been doing the same job for others - opening dealers, launching new-to-market products and growing sales for marine brands that need experienced business development without a permanent hire.
Business development is a trade you learn by doing it - and I learned it growing a brand.
Years inside a major British boat builder taught me what actually grows a marine brand: the dealer network, the shows, the commercial and defence buyers, the follow-up nobody else does. As a freelance marine business development consultant, I now put that experience to work for brands and products that need it - for a few days a month, not a salary.
Who I represent today
An Indian conglomerate
Representing a major international group's marine interests in the UK - the local face, voice and business development for a global business.
A marine telemetry system
New to market. Building the proposition, the first reference customers and the channel for a product buyers haven't seen before.
A military inflatable manufacturer
Business development for an inflatable manufacturer supplying the military - a market where credibility, patience and process win the work.
A new commercial boat brand
Launching and growing a new commercial boat brand - positioning, operator relationships and the early sales that establish a name.
Before Marine Minds: years inside one of the UK's major boat brands, in sales, business development and senior commercial roles - helping grow it from a small builder into an established name.
What marine business development covers
Dealers & distributors
Networks opened, signed and managed - targets, reviews and support, not just a contract in a drawer.
New-to-market launches
Positioning, channel decisions, show launches and the first reference sales everything else builds on.
Defence & commercial buyers
Long-cycle relationships with military, government and commercial operators - including the tenders. See procurement & tenders.
Trade shows & representation
The brand represented properly at the shows and in front of buyers - see brand representation.
Common questions
What does a marine business development consultant do?
Grows sales for marine brands and products: opening dealers and distributors, building relationships with commercial and defence buyers, launching new-to-market products, working the shows and keeping the pipeline moving - freelance, without a permanent hire.
Which marine sectors do you cover?
Leisure, commercial and defence. The work spans boat builders, equipment manufacturers and OEMs, commercial operators, marine technology and military buyers - anywhere the sales cycle is long and real knowledge of the product or application is required.
Can you launch a product that's new to the market?
Yes - it's a specialism. Positioning, first customers, dealer or direct channel decisions, show launches and the early reference sales that everything else builds on.
How does the engagement work?
Freelance - a monthly retainer or agreed days, scoped in writing before anything starts. Most clients use a few days a month; you're employing one experienced person, not an agency.
A brand or product
that needs to grow?
Tell me the product and the market. A short, no-obligation call is the easiest place to start, and if I can't help I'll say so.