Ensign Yachts has a team of passionate and experienced boating personnel across Australia. The team has in its ranks former super yacht skippers, engineers, world-class competitive sailors, blue water sailors with trans-ocean experience, game fishing, power boat and coastal cruising enthusiasts. The accumulated knowledge in the Ensign Yachts team is varied and widespread and comes from all facets of boating with experience gained worldwide.
Sean Rush - Managing Director
Sean joined the Ensign Group in May 2019 as a joint owner and managing director together with Andy. Sailing has been a passion for Sean since he was young.
He has been on many adventures with his family and friends sailing in Australia and internationally, from sailing in Sydney, where he now lives, to cruising in New Caledonia.
Sean brings to the Ensign Group 25 years’ international experience in global law firms advising corporations on major transactions and projects.
Andy Howden
Andy is a qualified skipper and engineer and has worked in the marine industry since 1992.
He has spent the past decades working in Australia, the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean, where he has gained experience in the charter, multi-brand sales, distribution, after-sales, service delivery and commissioning aspects of the sector.
Working with Bavaria Yachts since 2002, he is committed to offering new levels of customer service with Ensign Yachts.
Stuart McKinlay - Executive Sales Consultant
Stu has joined the Ensign team as an Executive Sales Consultant. He has a long history in sales in the corporate world, previously heading up MasterCard in New Zealand and a senior sales roles at Australia Post and Equifax.
Stu is also passionate about boats and a competitive sailor, having won 3 Australian sailing titles in one design classes and runner-up on multiple occasions. Please reach out to Stu if you have any queries!
Kate Douglass
Kate has been involved in sales for over 30 years, working in the real estate, medical device and marine industries.
She has been with Ensign Yachts since early 2015. Kate helps her clients to navigate through the process of buying and selling motor and sailing yachts.
The fact that her clients keep coming back to Ensign with repeat business is testament to her professionalism and customer service. Experienced in selling new and second-hand boats, Kate will ensure you achieve your boating dreams.
Ron Jacobs
Ron has multiple wins both outright and line honours in the Sydney Hobart Race, along with numerous Hamilton Island Race Week wins.
He says he has been blessed with seeing the world while competing against many of the best sailors in the world.
Ron started his own brokerage in 1998, specialising in the import and sale of boats to the performance yachting market. He later joined Ensign Yachts providing first-class service to our valued clients and community.
Andrew Pearson
An avid club and ocean yachtsman, Andrew has many major yacht and regatta wins to his name.
He has competed in 20 Sydney to Hobarts, with two overall wins. He also has numerous wins in the Sydney Gold Coast races.
Andrew’s extensive experience in the corporate world together with his in-depth yachting knowledge make him an invaluable member of the team. His passion is to match people with the right boat depending on their needs.
Rebecca Fussell
After 15 years in the Superyacht industry, Rebecca has gained valuable experience worldwide in every aspect (sail, motor, private, charter, newbuild and refit).
Combined with a decade in high-end sales, Rebecca’s diverse skill set ensures both vendor and buyer are supported with the additional ability to step in as owner representative during project construction, crew placement and management.
Raman Flawn
A Pittwater local, Raman knows the pleasures of getting out on the water. He is enthusiastic about finding great outcomes for those wanting to enjoy boating.
With a passion for power boating, Raman has wealth of know-how about how to find the right boat to suit your needs and lends a professional touch to the customer experience.
Jasmine Beaver
Angus Stranack - Marketing and Sales Manager
An avid ‘boatie’, Angus has never been far from the sea, whether that be competing in a variety of dinghies and keelboats at a high level, or cruising around the Whitsundays and New Caledonia.
These days you’ll find Angus racing in the Woody Point Twilight Races on Pittwater or cruising up the Hawkesbury on the weekends in his 24’ yacht.
Angus graduated from his Bachelor of Commerce and Marketing degree in 2018. He is keen to bring his passion for all things boats to the Ensign team!
Carolyn Jones - Operations Manager
Joining the crew in January 2021 as Operations Manager, Carolyn is our client relationship specialist and works hard behind the scenes to ensure things run smoothly for crew and clients alike.
Covering a diverse range of day to day functions from accounts, contracts, logistics and events her calm and positive attitude and attention to detail ensures our clients remain our top priority and that their Ensign experience is second to none.
Trent Strochnetter - Parts & After Sales Service
Trent has been with the Ensign Yachts team since 2006, from detailing boats on the weekend whilst studying IT, to becoming a full time member of the Ensign team at their Gold Coast head office.
During this time, he’s done it all – Boat detailer, deckhand, website & server administration, IT support, e-marketing, insurance agent, after sales service (spare parts & warranty).
Trent is always there to support both the Ensign team and our customers alike.
Adrian Wotton - Ensign Ambassador
Adrian is the proud owner of a 2010 Bavaria 40, School’s Out. He commenced his love of sailing when he joined the Royal Australian Navy, aged 15.
He has a love for both cruising and racing, achieving podium places in his division in the Adelaide to Port Lincoln Race on several occasions, winning the Cruising Yacht Club of SA Offshore Series twice, and most recently being awarded the prestigious CYCSA Yacht of the Year Award.
He is passionate about the strength and quality of Bavaria Yachts, having sailed School’s Out across the Bass Strait seven times without a scratch and feeling safe at all times.
Tony Ross
Tony has been involved with Ensign Yachts for decades and was one of the previous owners.
He helped develop Ensign to where it is today. In 2019, Tony handed over the reins to Sean and Andy.
A passionate sailor and owner of several vessels himself, Tony continues to support Ensign lending his extensive knowledge and industry connections to the business.
George Chung
George has been involved in trade and business in Australia and China for decades.
That experience, combined with an in-depth knowledge of multiple Chinese dialects, make him an invaluable support to Ensign Yachts and its customers and community.