Ryan is an experienced career mariner who, after more than a decade at sea as a captain on both private and charter superyachts, came ashore in 2013 to join Burgess in the London office. Today, he is a Senior Partner and Head of Yacht Management.
Born and raised on South Africa’s coast, Ryan’s professional journey began underwater as a research assistant conducting coral reef biodiversity studies. He later worked as a professional ranger on a private game reserve where he gained formative experience in the ultra-high-net-worth service industry. His deep affinity with the ocean led him to New Zealand, where he worked in the dive industry before setting sail across the South Pacific, navigating the waters of Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu and New Caledonia. In 2000, he started working on superyachts wherein he worked his way up to the role of captain.
‘The service industry has been a lifelong passion of mine,’ he says. ‘Leveraging my degree in natural sciences gave me a foothold in the ultra-luxury industry on private game reserves in Southern Africa. Similarly, I applied this and my love for the ocean to gain a foothold in the yachting industry. My time as a Master gave me an invaluable foundation for yacht management, especially when combined with my early experiences in UHNW client-facing roles.’
At Burgess, Ryan oversees all aspects of yacht management, from compliance and regulatory advice to financial reporting, crew management, asset valuation, and operational logistics. His deep understanding of life on board allows him to anticipate challenges and deliver solutions that work in real time.
‘One of the greatest challenges is helping clients navigate the many unforeseen costs unique to yacht ownership,’ he explains. ‘Our role is to make the complexities of the maritime industry not just understandable, but actionable.’
Respected for his calm authority and pragmatic mindset, Ryan brings charisma and frontline insight to what he describes as Burgess’ ‘incredibly dynamic support structure.’ He collaborates daily with sales brokers, charter managers and new construction specialists, and is particularly known for his strength in crisis management and risk mitigation.
‘I’m passionate about the industry – but equally about the people. Yacht management is where those two passions come together.’
