NORTHROP & JOHNSON CHARTER DIRECTOR FIONA MAURESO NAMED MYBA PRESIDENT
Launched in 1984 by a small group of brokers based in the South of France, the Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association (MYBA) was initially founded to address the issue of multiple contracts that were being used in the sale and purchase of yachts at that time. Pooling their knowledge and experience, these brokers produced a standardized Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) in plain English that would not only be adopted by all brokers but also could be easily understood by clients.
The first President of MYBA was Kees Van Vliet, who was at the time the president of Northrop & Johnson’s office in Cannes. Northrop & Johnson has been a loyal and active supporter of the Association since its inception.
Following the success of the MOA, work subsequently began on the MYBA Charter Agreement, which also has become a tried-and-tested, industry standard document.
Throughout its lifespan, the Association has continued to grow. In 2008, it officially changed its name to MYBA The Worldwide Yachting Association, which more accurately reflects its international reach and membership base. The Association now not only includes sales brokers, charter managers and charter brokers, but also yacht managers.
Today, MYBA numbers 120 companies worldwide and is the largest association of its kind. Its mission is to guide its members on the highest ethical and technical standards and to safeguard the best interests of the superyacht industry as a whole. It has adopted an increasingly influential and significant role, working closely with both national and international bodies to lobby and advise on policies affecting all aspects of the large crewed yacht sector, and it is regularly consulted on various fiscal and legal issues facing the industry. It employs an administrative staff of five, as well as several specialist consultants.
The original MYBA MOA and Charter Agreement are regularly revised and updated to reflect changes in the market or new legislation. New tools, such as the MYBA Charter Show, Brokers’ Seminar and the professional database, Yachtfolio, have been developed to educate and inform brokers and improve their efficiency.
Now in her second term, Fiona’s mission is two-fold. First to reach out to the next generation of yachting professionals and safeguard MYBA’s standard of ethics and professionalism going forward; second, to work more closely with other industry organizations to ensure that yachting remains safe and enjoyable for our clients.
Membership of MYBA is governed by strict entry requirements, including proof of significant Professional Indemnity insurance cover and a proven track record of professional excellence. By working with a MYBA member company like Northrop & Johnson, clients can benefit from verifiable safeguards and are assured of being represented by experienced professionals.
