Lee Rampton joins Yachtzoo as Sales Broker

Yachtzoo has announced the appointment of Lee Rampton as a sales broker, marking a significant addition to the brokerage’s international team. With over two decades of experience in superyacht operations and logistics, Lee brings deep industry relationships, and a unique operational perspective to his new role. Having founded and successfully operated Superyacht Distribution (SYD), Lee has long been regarded as a trusted problem-solver and industry connector. We spoke to him about this new chapter, his journey to date, and his thoughts on the evolving landscape of yachting.

You’ve recently joined Yachtzoo as a broker, after two decades in yacht operations and logistics, running your own company Superyacht Distribution (SYD). What inspired this move, and why now?

After running around for 20 years and being the go-to guy to sort problems out for boats, I realised I have a valuable database of clients and a strong sales background that I could put to good use. I am now at a certain age where maturity helps you feel confident to negotiate with owners, their representatives and captains.

What made you decide to work with Yachtzoo?

Ever since I first met the founder of Yachtzoo, Darrell Hall, we have been friends. This is now 20 years ago and my first impression from Darrell was his humbleness. The company has a very different angle from other brokerages. Out of the clients I referred to brokers over the years, the ones that Yachtzoo dealt with were extremely satisfied, so the decision to join them was easy! I have now been working with the team since February of this year; I feel very welcome and the transition into my new role has been very smooth. I have signed up my first Central Agency listing and I trust I will make my first yacht sale very soon!

How do you see your experience with Superyacht Distribution (SYD) complementing your new role as a broker at Yachtzoo?

Having dealt with captains and crew, brokers and agents, owners and reps gives me a particular insight on how they all think and what they need. This will help me broker deals in a ‘one-of-a-kind’ manner. In the meantime, Superyacht Distribution will continue to be led by my long-term partner, as operations are running smoothly and almost autonomously: the company is still going strong!

Can you tell us a bit about your time as an owner's representative for a Middle Eastern Royal Family? What were some of the key challenges and achievements in managing their fleet?

I personally managed a fleet of seven yachts, working directly with HRH and overseeing every aspect of their operation – from technical matters and shipyard work scopes to planning cruising itineraries with the captains and coordinating with suppliers. We achieved savings of several million across the fleet, particularly with one of the yachts that had encountered significant issues during a shipyard period. Being available to the family 24/7 was perhaps the most important part of the role. After 20 years of working with agents and making the impossible happen, that experience became incredibly valuable. I’m now continuing to work with the family on other projects, not all of which are yacht-related.

Finally, you’ve had a longstanding relationship with SuperYacht Times. What’s your view on how the media landscape has evolved in yachting, and where do you see the biggest opportunities for better industry storytelling?

I've had a wonderful long-term relationship with SuperYacht Times since the early days, working with Merijn to help shape the launch and develop their media distribution model. They've truly set the standard for quality and innovation in yachting media.

As someone from a publishing background, I still value print media, but I recognise how rapidly the landscape is evolving. Digital tools like SuperYacht IQ have been game-changing – though we'd still love that owner list! The yachting industry is a close-knit community, and AI is poised to play a bigger role in marketing and operations.

Having spent 20 years on the supplier side, I know the challenge: agencies can invest millions in new platforms, but convincing captains, crew, and management companies to switch from trusted partners is tough. The key is taking baby steps – embracing innovation while respecting existing relationships.

I see tremendous opportunity for better storytelling across all mediums to highlight what makes yachting special. SuperYacht Times continues leading the way, and I'm excited for the next chapter.

Yachtzoo's Founding Partner / CEO, Darrell Hall adds, "I have had the pleasure of knowing Lee for many years, both personally and professionally. His integrity and expertise have helped 'saved the day' for many of our clients on numerous occasions—he’s always been the person you call when you need a solution at the eleventh hour. We are genuinely delighted to welcome him to the YACHTZOO team, and I have every confidence that his dedication and problem-solving skills will be a real asset to both our clients and our company."