YYachts names new CEO as Christian Möller departs

German shipyard YYachts has restructured its management team with the appointment of Sven Göbel as chief executive officer. He succeeds Christian Möller, who is departing for personal reasons, according to the firm.

As YYachts CEO, Göbel will be responsible for finance, production and procurement. Sales and marketing will continue under the direction of Tijl Hetterschijt.

The yard, known for creating custom, carbon fibre sailing yachts, had a busy 2024, delivering nine yachts by the middle of the year, and is looking to replicate this success in the coming seasons.

Göbel has a degree in industrial engineering, specialising in mechanical engineering, from the Technical University of Darmstadt. His professional background includes a range of senior roles in both commercial and technical capacities across manufacturing sectors.

“I’m extremely excited and proud to be joining YYachts,” says Göbel. “This innovative shipyard, with its disruptive mindset, is setting new standards in modern yacht building. We have a clear path forward — and I am confident that we will continue to grow in the years ahead.”

YYachts founder Michael Schmidt, who launched the firm in 2016, comments: “Sven has a longstanding experience in managing a shipyard in a similar position and will bring YYachts with his expertise into the next step of development.”

Schmidt will continue to work with the company, shifting his focus more directly toward product development and customer engagement, particularly from an owner’s perspective.