The Schulte Group’s Singapore affiliate, Schulte Maritime Services Pte Ltd, has bought a majority stake in YPI CREW, the Antibes-based, yacht crew recruitment agency.
YPI CREW will be come under Bernhard Schulte Cruise Services (BSCS), the division formed by the Schulte Group to offer technical management and crewing services to the cruise industry.
Established in January 2018, BSCS already has three cruise ships under management, with additional tonnage being added next year.
In this transaction, BRS Yachting, the yachting head company of the BRS Group, a shipbroking company with offices in 20 different countries, is selling its stake in YPI CREW.
Laurence Lewis, Managing Director and Co-founder of YPI CREW will continue to run the day to day business of YPI CREW, as Managing Director and co-shareholder.
“We are delighted to welcome Laurence and her team at YPI CREW to the Schulte Group, in particular to Bernhard Schulte Cruise Services. We see great synergies that can be developed as our cruise division, under the leadership of cruise veteran Les Royle, increases its position in cruise management and the luxury expedition cruise sector in particular.
“This acquisition is part of our strategy of external growth and we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead, now that we have one of the foremost names in the luxury yacht recruitment sector as part of the Schulte family,” said Martin Springer, Deputy Managing Director, Bernhard Schulte Cruise Services.
Lewis added, “I am very happy to join the Schulte Group and in particular, to be working with the management of Bernhard Schulte Cruise Services. Our clients will benefit from the complementary skills and technologies of two leaders in their market segments. We will thus improve our strategy of securing and developing international exchanges. The integration of our talents and our expertise will therefore take place very quickly. We have identified many valuable synergies.“
“We are very happy to have carried out this transaction with the Schulte Group and we are confident that YPI CREW will grow and reach new heights under its patronage along with the expertise of Laurence Lewis,” said Francois Cadiou, BRS Group CEO.
