GMBA appoints technical sustainability expert

Following an increase in enquiries regarding sustainability and environmentalism within marine, Global Marine Business Advisors (GMBA) has appointed Albert Willemsen as its technical advisor on sustainability issues.

In the past two years, GMBA has appointed 19 consultants across 18 countries and has been working with businesses in the marine sector that wish to expand their export markets. However, recently GMBA reports an increased number of enquiries regarding environmental and sustainability issues. This has led to the creation of GMBA’s latest role.

Willemsen is a qualified engineer with significant capability in the superyacht and leisure marine sector, says GMBA.

YP Loke GMBA Singapore says: “Albert is extremely well versed with all environmental matters affecting recreational marine – from antifouling, to end-of-life and recycling issues, to marina dredging, and invasive species dispersal, to name a few. His in-depth knowledge of recreational boating enables him to engage policymakers with practical and innovative solutions to meet the stricter demands in our ever-changing environmental policy landscape. He is the preeminent expert in his field, and we are honoured to have him on board GMBA.”

Willemsen says: “It is a new chapter for me to be part of a growing group like GMBA. The issues I have been working on for many years are very significant for GMBA clients and I look forward to being able to offer my technical expertise to support these businesses.“

Willemsen was ICOMIA’s environment and sustainability manager from 2005 until recently, focussing on how the yachting industry impacts or benefits the environment and how it must comply with international sustainability legislations. Willemsen was involved in setting up the environmental committee and appointed as vice chair and later as chair. He was also involved in setting up the ICOMIA refit group, the applicators group and developing the paint guidelines for the industry.

Jouko Huju, key founder of GMBA, says: “I have known Albert since 1997, he is a worldwide renowned expert in a vast array of boating related environmental and sustainability issues. I am excited that Albert is joining GMBA. He will help us tackle a great number of difficult challenges our industry will inevitably face in the very near future.”