New chairperson at Water Revolution Foundation
The Water Revolution Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to advancing sustainability within the marine industry, has named Aino-Leena Grapin as its new chair, effective 1 July 2025.
Grapin succeeds Henk de Vries III, who has been a driving force behind the foundation since its inception. After nearly four decades leading the Dutch superyacht shipyard Feadship, de Vries III also stepped down as director and CEO of Koninklijke De Vries Scheepsbouw on 1 May 2025.
Grapin joined the foundation’s board in March 2025, following her four-year tenure as chair for the Sustainable Yacht Design Taskforce. Bringing a wealth of strategic insight and a proven commitment to sustainability, Grapin has more than 25 years’ experience growing and leading organisations across the art, luxury and technology sectors.
The foundation says it will announce further new board appointments as they are confirmed.
Henk de Vries III steps down
In a statement, the foundation says: ‘We extend our deepest gratitude to Henk de Vries III for his outstanding leadership and vision. As a founding chairman, Henk played an instrumental role in shaping the foundation’s mission and strategic direction. In recognition of his enduring legacy, he has been awarded the honorary title of emeritus chair.
“More than six years ago now, Dr. Vienna Eleuteri sparked brightly with inspiration for a cleaner future for superyachting. I am very happy and proud to have been part of this extraordinary journey. With confidence I hand the reins to Aino Grapin, who will lead our Foundation with renewed ambition and vision,” states Henk de Vries.
New leadership: Aino-Leena Grapin
As chief executive of Winch Design since 2016, Grapin has led the company through a significant evolution, including its transition to employee ownership in 2021. Her background in strategy consulting, combined with her deep passion for sustainable innovation, makes her an ideal leader to steer Water Revolution Foundation into its next chapter.
She says: “I am honoured to take on the role of chair at the Water Revolution Foundation, continuing to build on the exceptional work of Henk de Vries III whose leadership has laid a strong foundation for meaningful change in our industry. At Winch Design, sustainability is a core pillar of our vision, and we believe that design must be a force for positive change. I look forward to working with the foundation and its partners to drive meaningful progress on the 2050 roadmap we have now set ourselves as a target to protect our oceans and planet for generations to come.”
As part of the ongoing governance practices, vice chair Vienna Eleuteri, one of the foundation’s founders, has been granted an exemption from the standard term policy. Her essential role in representing the foundation in the global scientific and sustainability communities is reviewed and renewed every three years.
With a strong and evolving leadership team, Water Revolution Foundation says it remains steadfast in its mission to accelerate sustainability in the yachting sector through collaboration, science-based solutions, and regenerative practices.
