Clipper Ventures to Create Sydney Base in Global Expansion Strategy

The UK-based international marine events company behind the Clipper Round the Word Yacht Race is to create a base in Sydney as part of their global expansion plan.

Clipper Ventures want to expand the company throughout the globe and the announcement of an Australian division is described as the “first stage of a global expansion plan.”

The new division will be led by a team with Clipper Race experience, medstore with Sydney-based Kirsty Whyte appointed as Managing Director.

Whyte said: “I am very pleased to be opening Clipper Ventures’ first international office. Australia is a vast nation with a keen interest in sailing and water sports and I see many strong opportunities for the new division and the Clipper Race within Australia and the Southern Hemisphere.”

Jim Dobie, a dual citizen of the UK and Australia, who is Senior Training Skipper for Clipper Ventures in the UK and will take up the same role in Australia.

He will lead crew training and development and participate in local sailing events with Piers Dudin, who skippered a UK entry in the Clipper 2009-10 Race.

Clipper Ventures CEO, William Ward, commented: “Our first international divisionis a highly exciting development and will be a significant asset for Clipper Ventures. Our relationship with Australia and the Southern Hemisphere has strengthened steadily and we have major future growth plans for the region.

“Clipper Ventures Australia will utilise its new training and recruitment facilities to double national crew recruitment in the 2015-16 edition of the Clipper Race and beyond; in addition it will identify and generate new sponsorship and business opportunities within Asia-Pacific.”