Y.CO was born out of the desire to disrupt the yachting industry. By placing people at the centre of their business, Co-Founders Gary Wright and Charlie Birkett have created a collaborative, innovative culture. Together, the team, its crews and clients have expanded the possibilities of the industry – from transforming yachts into humanitarian aid units to developing the first bio-fuelled superyacht.
Learn a little more about our latest addition to the Walpole community in our interview with Y.CO's Marketing Director, Caroline Haines, below.
Walpole: Tell us about the history of your brand…
Caroline Haines: Our Co-Founders, Gary Wright and Charlie Birkett, both worked on board and shoreside with various yachting operations and they saw an opportunity to revolutionise how yacht management was done. And so, in 2004, Y.CO was born. Since then, we have grown organically with our clients’ projects, subsequently expanding into sales, purchase, charter management, charter, and new build project management.
What is your brand best known for?
We're recognised as one of the leading yacht companies in the industry, supporting over 100 large yacht operations worldwide. What makes us different is our innovative approach: we are consistently at the forefront of what's next, pushing the yachting industry to develop and change. Because of that, we're privileged to work with equally forward-thinking clients, meaning we've been involved with the sales, charter, management and builds of some of the highest profile yachts on the water.
What has been a significant achievement in your company’s timeline?
Our proudest moments often fly under the radar. We've helped clients transform their yachts into humanitarian aid response units and scientific discovery platforms. Together, we work to push the boundaries of possibility in yachting technology. Last year, launched Obsidian, the first biofuel-powered superyacht.
Why do you love the brand?
We're a service company that never forgets our biggest asset is our people – that's what makes us special. Our sense of culture and community – both within our team and within the crews we work with – is amazing. When you get the culture right, you can achieve anything.
Why does your brand represent the very best in British luxury?
Modern British luxury is about crafting personalised experiences, attention to detail, and building lasting relationships. These are things that have always been at the heart of the Y.CO philosophy. We continue to be a fully founder-owned and led business, which allows us to provide a completely bespoke service to our clients. We're boutique by design, and we focus on long-term relationships rather than chasing short-term gains. This dedication to individualised service and lasting connections is what defines British luxury, and it's exactly what we aim to deliver at Y.CO.
What attracted you to becoming a Walpole member?
For us, it's all about the community. Our business has thrived because of the relationships we have cultivated and the expertise that has been shared across our different departments, across our fleets and our network of shipyards, designers, clients and other industry partners. We've learnt the value of joining forces when trying to push the industry forward and promote positive change. We hope that becoming a member of Walpole will allow us to continue to do so.
If you could collaborate with another Walpole member, which one would you choose?
We are fortunate to already count many of the Walpole members among our community, having collaborated with them to provide amazing experiences for our clients. There are so many incredible brands that inspire big ideas – whether it’s a design installation at the Saatchi Gallery, PR around expedition travel with Shackleton, or an engaging client event at one of Walpole's members. It’s hugely inspiring to see how many of the other members share Y.CO’s commitment to sustainability, and I am looking forward to meeting with as many of them as possible to discuss the part that luxury can play in building a positive future for the world.
Tell us about an exciting development or new launch for your brand in the coming months?
We're excited to have just launched on our website our new content platform, 'Beneath the Surface'. This content hub will feature inspiring, human stories from the superyacht community, giving people a fresh perspective on yachting and shining a spotlight on everything that makes it extraordinary. By celebrating collective endeavour and highlighting the incredible things that our community is doing, we hope that we’ll be able to inspire positive change in the industry.