Talent behind the design of your charter yacht

Tim Heywood

Known for his prolific output and the successful Limited Editions Series with Amels and Feadship, Tim Heywood began his career with Jon Bannenberg and worked with his firm for more than 20 years, before branching out on his own in 1996.

A multi award-winning yacht designer, Heywood has produced some exceptional designs, including the 133m Al Mirqab, awarded 'Motor Yacht of the Year' at the 2009 World Superyacht Awards.

His impressive portfolio of some the largest yachts in the world includes the 115m custom-built Lurssen Yachts, Pelorus, deemed by his industry peers to be one of the most beautiful yachts ever produced.

Among the notable charter yachts designed by Heywood are the 101.5m (333.01ft) Feadship, Symphony; 55m (180.45ft) Amels, Elixir; and 55m (180.45ft) Amels, Astra.

Terence Disdale

Yet another superyacht designer who started his career under Jon Bannenberg, Terence Disdale opened his own firm in London in 1973, immediately gaining a strong following. He is considered one of the industry's leading lights, and his firm can claim more interior designs in the world's top 101 superyachts than any other.

Eschewing formality and traditional confines of design, "Beach house not Penthouse" are the hallmarks of Terence Disdale Design. His portfolio includes motor yachts Al Salamah, Tatoosh, Ice, Ecstasea, Montkaj, Kogo, Boadicea, and the giant Eclipse at 162.50m (533ft). The exterior and interiors of the luxury charter yacht Seahorse is a 52m (171ft) Amels motor yacht are the creation of Terence Disdale.

Espen Øino

Norwegian-born, Øino works from a Monaco-based studio that is in hot demand, with projects in build in six countries. Known for his ground-breaking designs, and for pushing the boundaries, Øino is one of the superyacht industry's visionaries. Skilled at bringing the dreams of discerning clients to life, he is an expert in combining innovative design with performance, uncompromising function and efficiency.

Several noteworthy, award-winning charter yachts available all over the world include 95.2m (312.34ft) Lurssen-built Kismet, 85.1m (279.20ft) Solandge from Lurssen as well, and one of the world's highest performance superyachts, the entirely aluminium 77.1m (252.95ft) Silver Series motor yacht SilverFast, which won Finest New Yacht at the 2015 Monaco Yacht Show.

Sam Sorgiovanni

Australian designer, operating from his HQ in Perth, Sorgiovanni works with clients and shipyards around the world. Sorgiovanni is a multi-award winning designer who believes being Australia gives him the edge. "As inhabitants of the world's largest island, Australians have a truly unique and casual lifestyle that focuses on the sea, sand and climate. With this lifestyle, beautiful surroundings and an affinity with our environment, this translates so well to life on a yacht. Our inspiration comes from this background, along with our worldly experiences. As Yacht Designers we create in a way that ensures our yachts are practical, comfortable and distinctive. However, our true inspiration comes from our clients. Those individuals and families who entrust Sorgiovanni Designs with their dreams, to create a spectacular design that surpasses all of their expectations."

Some of Sorgiovanni's designs are popular charter yachts, including the 125m Lurssen motor yacht, Octopus, 41.6m (130ft) Gulf Craft Delisle III 130 and 75m (247.70ft) Anastasia from Oceanco.

Jon Bannenberg

Jon Bannenberg, (1929-2002), was a prominent English-Australian yacht designer, often referred to as "the father of modern yacht design". From a career as a jazz pianist, playing in the theatre and clubs in London, he developed an interest in interior design and his expertise was in high demand for palatial homes and hotels. In 1965, he was selected by Cunard as one of the interior designers for their new liner, the Queen Elizabeth 2. From there, yacht commissions followed and over 30 years, Bannenberg designed almost 200 yachts, as well as residential projects, aircraft interiors, car interiors, furniture design and hotels. He has been described as the main proponent responsible for the revival of the profession, which he achieved by successfully combining three disciplines: naval architecture, exterior design and interior design.

He likened himself to the conductor of an orchestra: someone who could not play all the instruments, but knew exactly the sound they should all be producing.

Bannenberg worked with many of the world's best shipyards in the Netherlands, Italy, France, Germany, and England. He rekindled the connection with the country of his birth with a very successful collaboration with the Oceanfast yard in Perth, Australia.

His prominent clients included Larry Ellison, Malcolm Forbes, Alan Bond, Adnan Khashoggi and Robert Maxwell. Several famed charter yachts are Bannenberg designs, including the 55m (180.45ft) motor yacht, Oceana, custom built by Oceanfast.

Today, Jon's son Dickie runs the firm that bears his name, Bannenberg & Rowell, with Simon Rowell, both of whom are carving out their own niche in a dynamic and technology-led industry.

Andrew Winch

Yacht designer Andrew Winch is one of the few superyacht designers to have successfully moved into more mainstream territories. Celebrating 30 years in 2016, Winch Designs is a full-service design and architecture studio specialising in the exterior and interior design of yachts, aircrafts, residential and commercial properties.

Among the many charter yachts whose interiors were the work of Winch Design are the 35.36m (116ft) sailing superyacht, Whisper, built by Holland Jachtbouw, Pegasus, the 52.2m (171.42ft) Feadship, and Phoenix2, the 90.02m (295.34ft) motor yacht from Lurssen whose interior lines and interiors were designed by Andrew Winch.