Mark is a qualified Master Mariner and holds a British Class One Deck Certificate. As founder and former head of Yacht Management, he built a highly qualified and experienced team handling the operational management of many of the world’s largest yachts. This includes 86m NABILA (now KINGDOM 5-KR) which Mark and his team have consistently managed for over 35 years. Mark made Partner at Burgess in 2019.

Mark began his maritime career in the Merchant Navy as a deck officer with Cunard, which saw him sail around the world for 11 years. He joined Burgess in 1987 at the inception of the company’s Yacht Management division and subsequently grew the department exponentially to include a fleet of more than 115 yachts, 2000 crew and the formation of several in-house departments, including Burgess Technical Services and Burgess Crew Services.

'I’m very proud of the yacht management department at Burgess,' he says. 'We have a fantastic team and have been highly successful over the years.'

Prior to the introduction of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code in 1998, Mark was intrinsic in the development of Burgess’ approved ISM Safety Management System, bringing a level of professionalism to the Yacht Management department that was unmatched elsewhere. It remains one of his proudest achievements. The well-established Burgess Yacht Management Compliance team today helps ensure the safety of the company’s managed fleet, their guests and crew and the protection of the marine environment.

In 1998, Mark sat on the first Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) Committee tasked with developing the first Commercial Yacht Code. Today, he focuses on management consultancy and mentoring the younger members of Burgess’ yacht management team.

As a career mariner, he brings many years of experience to the role paired with a global network of contacts. In his downtime, he enjoys sailing aboard his yacht GULLIVER, including transatlantic Tall Ships Regattas and the ARC rally to St Lucia.