The Australian International Marine Export Group (AIMEX) held its Annual General Meeting at the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron on Tuesday 22 October, where a newly elected board for 2025 was formed. The meeting marked significant changes in leadership, with long-serving board members stepping down and new members joining the team.
AIMEX Board Members, past and present;
Kane Bygrave, International Yacht Logistics Specialist, Aurora Global Logistics; Ron Schroeder, Director, Rainman Desalination; Michaela Claes, Operations Manager, Pantaenius Australia; Stephen Vincent, Director of Austral Propeller Company; Peter Dowdney, Australasian Sales Manager, Ronstan International; Brad Marsden, Founder & Director, Marine Air Flow International; Richard Champman, Managing Director, Coursemaster Autopilots
After 26 years of contribution, AIMEX bids farewell to founding member and two-time President, Richard Chapman OAM. Also stepping down is Peter Dowdney, who has served as Vice President for the past eight years, additionally, Ron Schroeder, Director, is completing four years of service.
Retiring AIMEX Board Members; Peter Dowdney, Vice President and Richard Chapman, Director
As a result of these changes, Brad Marsden, will step into the role of Vice President, while Michaela Claes, will take over as Treasurer, succeeding Stephen Vincent, who will remain on the Board as a Director.
In addition, AIMEX welcomes two new board members. Nick Lester, Chairperson of the Australian Commercial Marine Group (ACMG), has taken on the additional role of AIMEX Board Member, alongside Jessica Gatt, who also joins the board.
Nick Lester, AIMEX Board
Jessica Gatt, AIMEX Board
AIMEX extends its sincere gratitude to the departing board members for their valuable contributions and dedicated service over the years, which have played a crucial role in shaping the success and growth of the organisation.
Particularly noteworthy is Richard Chapman’s long-standing role on the board and his significant contributions to AIMEX. By investing his personal time and resources to support fellow members within the organisation, Richard has played a crucial role in mentoring AIMEX members with his dedication to the marine industry representing a remarkable lifelong achievement. His efforts have helped cultivate a reputation defined by qualities such as reliability, honesty, and a can-do attitude—traits that will benefit Australian manufacturers for many years to come. Richard was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his contributions to the Australian Marine Industry in 2023.
The 2025 AIMEX Board of Directors include:
Jeremy Spear, AIMEX President, Director, Spear Green Design
Brad Marsden, AIMEX Vice President, Founder & Director, Marine Air Flow International
Michaela Claes, AIMEX Treasurer, Operations Manager, Pantaenius Australia
Carl Amor, Director, Aqualuma LED Lighting
Chris Blackwell, Sales & Marketing Manager, Echo Marine Group
Kane Bygrave, International Yacht Logistics Specialist, Aurora Global Logistics
Steve Fisher, Director International Business, Rivergate Marina & Shipyard
Jessica Gatt, Managing Director, Marine Protection System
Eli Green, Founder & Director, Greencorp Marine
Nick Lester, General Manager – Sydney Harbour, Sealink
Alan Steber, General Manager & Director, Steber International
Stephen Vincent, Director, Austral Propeller Company
David Good, CEO, AIMEX, commented; “AIMEX has been founded by members volunteering to mentor others and direct the industry body, they do so without renumeration and pay their own travel costs to attend meetings away from their own businesses. They do this largely for others and to help new members become successful exporters. We thank Richard, Peter and Ron for their selfless work and experienced guidance and welcome Jess and Nick to continue this work on behalf of the industry.”
The newly elected board is committed to continuing AIMEX’s mission of supporting and growing Australia’s marine export and superyacht industries.
