Aino-Leena Grapin Appointed CEO of Winch Design

Celebrating its 30 year anniversary, Winch Design, the leading yacht design studio, has appointed Aino-Leena Grapin as new CEO as part of the ongoing strategy to expand its leadership team.

Aino-Leena Grapin will work closely with Andrew Winch and the senior team to ensure diversified and sustainable growth in line with the company's defining vision.

An MBA graduate from INSEAD, Grapin has nearly 20 years’ experience in leading and growing business in creative industries, beginning as a strategy consultant with Bain & Company, and later moving to the auctioneers Christie’s. Here she held a variety of strategic and operational roles, most recently as International Business Director responsible for Russian Art.

Grapin will work closely with Non-Executive Chairman, Clive Beharrell, who adds a wealth of experience from his role as Chairman of a number of businesses in different sectors ranging from Scott Dunn to Fat Face. Clive's particular skill is in advising founder-driven businesses on achieving a secure and sustainable management structure. Both appointments were recruited from outside the superyacht and private aviation industries to bring a fresh perspective from related sectors.

Andrew Winch himself has been the creative force of the brand for the past thirty years and his passion for design will continue to drive the business. Jane Winch, who co-founded the company, will step down as Managing Director to assume a non-executive role.

"Most of you will know that my passion lies in design and my skills are in all things creative. I am keen to have more time to embrace this aspect of our business fully and to pass the management reins across. I will take on the role of Creative Director and Founder and immensely look forward to being more involved with the design teams." said Andrew.

“Winch Design has always been innovative and creative in its designs and the same should apply to its business vision. The company has grown tremendously in the past 30 years and is in a very strong position, thanks to Andrew, Jane and their talented team. I am very excited to lead Winch Design into this new phase.” said Aino-Leena Grapin.

Andrew adds, "Winch Design is thriving and it is at these times that it is important to think ahead. The creativity of our design teams is underpinned by a solid management team, which has evolved with the needs of the business: as well as our new CEO, we have 5 Department Heads and 8 senior managers within our talented team of seventy. Above all, we owe our long term success to the continued support of our many clients and friends within the industry and of course the efforts of the team here."

About Winch Design:
Founded in 1986, Winch Design is a world renowned superyacht design studio. The business expanded fifteen years ago to nclude the design of private jets, followed by expansion into architecture in 2008. With over seventy staff on the banks of the River Thames in London, Winch Design has the knowledge, experience and resources to work on complex projects internationally, delivering innovation, creativity and talent to its outstanding portfolio.