BUILT TO EVOLVE
In 2001, two former superyacht captains established the first independent yacht management firm. In the years since, we have worked to set the standard, not just the precedent. From a single office in the south of France to a global network, our ambition remains the same: to care for the world’s most important superyachts with depth and expertise.
Just 25 years ago, yacht management existed almost exclusively in-house at brokerage houses, often treated as an afterthought.
But our co-founders Nick Hill and Niall Robinson recognised that the growing size, technical sophistication, and regulatory demands of superyachts needed something new: dedicated, specialised advocacy from standalone specialists.
Today, we remain fiercely independent, and in a time of unprecedented consolidation, we continue to be privately held, so our clients come first and foremost.
“Remaining independent allows us to put the client first, always,” says Niall. “It gives us the freedom to act in their best interests while staying true to the values that define us: independence, discretion, and trust.”
“Many a yacht captain thinks they can do everything: accounting, law, regulations, technical, and shipyards. When the ISM regulations came in, that what a whole new thing. Most captains—myself included—were going to need help.”
Prior to the International Safety Management (ISM) code, yacht management was largely informal, handled by captains and owners themselves.
But the introduction of the code demanded a higher level of shore-side support. The bigger the yacht, the more complex the operation—and the greater the responsibility.
Hill Robinson was founded specifically to handle the operational complexities of the world’s largest superyachts. We bring technical excellence to the services yacht owners and their crews need most.
And as the first ever independent yacht management firm, we’ve navigated these waters longer than most.
Flawless experiences at sea require an extraordinary depth of expertise. That’s why, at Hill Robinson’s helm, is a leadership team with over a century of experience building, managing, and being on superyachts.
“What we bring is a mindset: we are problem solvers. We absorb the complexity of superyachting so the owner doesn’t have to.”
—Mark Robinson, Partner
Frédéric Dormeuil
Chief Operating Officer
Karl H. Hartmann
Partner
Mark Robinson
Partner
Nick Hill
Founding partner
Niall Robinson
Founding Partner & CEO
After a quarter century of safeguarding the world’s most important superyachts, we refuse to rest on our success. Instead, we intend to use this milestone as the starting line for what comes next.
The superyacht sector doesn’t stay still, so neither do we. With ever-increasing regulations and the expectations of our clients changing faster than ever, yacht management by Hill Robinson is built to evolve.
By blending 25 years of operational knowledge with a dynamic, forward-looking structure designed to adapt to the times, we ensure that as the maritime world changes, our clients always benefit from both unwavering continuity and fresh thinking.
“Hill Robinson is built on people—from those who started this journey with us to the rising generation now stepping into key leadership roles. That gives us a strong foundation: the knowledge, experience, and longevity within the firm, combined with the fresh ideas, energy, and perspective of the next generation coming through.”
The most exciting part of reaching 25 years is that we still operate with the agility and flexibility of a startup. We have 25 years of technical depth and operational expertise behind us, but my goodness me, there is still a real sense of freshness—as though we are only just getting started.
—Niall Robinson
Founding Partner & CEO
Start your own yacht management journey with Hill Robinson.
