Key Yachting has announced a change of ownership, as Wayne Palmer and Hayley Quinn from Hampshire-based Thinking Space Systems have purchased the company from Marie-Claude Heys.
“After 25 years, I am delighted to hand the helm over to Wayne and Hayley,” said Heys, who founded Key Yachting in Hamble in 1996 with her late husband Paul.
“This year, as part of the logistics team from Miranda Merron’s Vendée Globe campaign, it really made my mind up.
“The time is right for me to make a change, and I am keen to get back to my roots in offshore sailing,” added Heys, who competed in four Figaro campaigns and two Whitbread Round the World Races.
With their head office in Romsey, Thinking Space Systems is a global provider of high-quality technical furniture and has offices in Australia, Canada, UK and the USA
The company was founded in 1993 by Wayne Palmer who is a keen sailor, having competed in two Fastnet Races and who currently races his J/109 Flying Jackal.
Hayley Quinn is an experienced qualified accountant with a passion for managing leisure focused businesses.
“From a design, engineering and manufacturing perspective, there are many similarities between Thinking Systems and Key Yachting,” Palmer said.
“Hayley and I cannot wait to get started in the new year. Key Yachting has world class brands, and it is rare to be able to acquire a business that has been in the same ownership for so long.”
Key Yachting sales director, Hannah Le Prevost will mentor the new owners into the business.
“2021 is going to be an exciting year for all the right reasons,” said Le Prevost, who has been an integral part of Key Yachting for 11 years.
“We will continue our strong relationship with our business partners and above all with our past, present and future boat owners.”
Key Yachting, whose Irish agent is Mark Mansfield, moves into the new year after celebrating a big win out of three nominations in the 2020 British Yachting Awards — with the Grand Soleil 44 Performance receiving the gong for Performance Yacht of the Year.
