Hill Robinson launches the Crew Voices Project

Because every voice matters

In an industry powered by people, it is surprising how often the most important voices are missing from the room. Yacht crew are the heartbeat of yachting, yet too frequently they are underrepresented at the very events and conversations where their futures, wellbeing, and professional landscapes are being shaped.

The Hill Robinson Crew Voices Project is designed to change that.

Led by Crew Services Coordinator Kayleigh Liddell, the initiative is a practical, people-first programme that removes barriers and actively invites crew to take their place in industry conversations.

“We can’t progress as an industry unless crew are part of the dialogue,” Kayleigh explains. “If they’re not present, we don’t get a true picture of life onboard, and crew don’t get visibility of the services available to them from onshore. The connection has to work both ways.”

What is the Crew Voices Project?

Hill Robinson has partnered with major industry events to offer a selected number of free tickets to yacht crew. These tickets are fully funded by Hill Robinson.

To support travel costs, the project is also partnered with TravelCue, providing each selected crew member with a €150 air travel voucher. It is a simple idea with a meaningful impact: remove financial and logistical obstacles so crew can step through the door and into the conversation.

Why crew voices matter

Crew are at the very centre of every yacht experience, yet their perspectives are often absent from industry panels, workshops, and decision-making spaces. This creates a gap between what is discussed and what is actually happening onboard.

“If we ever hope to move forward, we have to involve crew,” says Kayleigh. “They need to be seen, heard, and included.”

The project ensures that discussions about wellbeing, career development, and industry standards are informed by those living the reality day to day. It also introduces crew to the people, organisations, and services designed to support them, creating stronger understanding on both sides.

Short-term impact, long-term change

In the first year, the goal is simple: get crew through the door.

“This is about exposure,” Kayleigh explains. “Learning what these events are, meeting the people behind them, and realising that their voices genuinely matter.”

Looking ahead, the vision becomes even more powerful.

“I would love to see today’s attendees become tomorrow’s panellists. Crew presenting, contributing, shaping the agenda. That’s real inclusion.”

For Kayleigh, this is as much personal as it is professional.

“I can’t do my job unless I hear from crew. We, as an industry, can’t build meaningful culture, wellbeing programmes, or support structures without understanding what they actually need.

“And their feedback is clear: they don’t always feel included. This is our way of changing that, of making sure they know their voices are welcome.”

Part of a bigger commitment

The Crew Voice Project sits alongside Hill Robinson’s wider commitment to support crew. Through the Crew Services team, the company is already deeply involved in initiatives that support crew at every stage of their journey, including

• Support for ISWAN’s Yacht Crew Helpline
• Introduction to Yachting events for junior crew
• Career mapping with Raising the Bar
• Support for Marathon 4 Mental Health

Together, they form a network of care that extends beyond employment and into long-term career development, wellbeing, and life beyond the yacht.

How crew can get involved

The Crew Voices Project is open to any crewmember. There is no requirement to be currently working with Hill Robinson.

Crew can register their interest via our online form.

Selected applicants will be contacted directly, and a waiting list will be maintained to allow for the realities of last-minute schedule changes that are a part of crew life.

Alternatively, crew are welcome to contact Hill Robinson’s Crew Services team directly for more information.

“Every voice carries weight,” Kayleigh smiles. “Sometimes, all it needs is an invitation.”

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