Hill Robinson opens new office in Antibes dedicated to Crew Services
by Hill Robinson 24 Sep 2024 10:36 BST
Hill Robinson opens new office in Antibes © Hill Robinson
The office opening marks a new era for Hill Robinson's fully integrated Crew Services, acting as a hub from which its experienced team manages recruitment candidates, supports crew across its managed fleet and promotes an Academy training platform which delivers online and in-person training courses.
Hill Robinson has celebrated the opening of its new office in Antibes dedicated to crew services with a launch event for captains, crew, and industry partners. The office and team are now up and running in good time for the busy autumn recruitment period at the end of the Mediterranean summer season.
The hub forms part of Hill Robinson's new Crew Services offering - a fully integrated range of services incorporating recruitment, employment and training. With the aim of improving loyalty on board and providing crew with structured and progressive career paths, the package of crew services extends the company's commitment to crew alongside dedicated day-to-day operational support.
Founding partner Nick Hill said: "We're proud and delighted to be opening new, expanded offices. We have a fantastic and dedicated team of crew services and yacht management specialists providing the best support to all captains and crew. By investing in people, we attract, retain, and nurture healthy and professional crew growth within the superyacht industry and the opening of the Antibes office supports this. We're looking forward to welcoming new friends and old to our new hub."
From placing crew members in the right role on the right yacht, to providing training, wellbeing, and development programmes on board and online, the range of crew services available to owners and captains depends on their requirements. The crew recruitment service meticulously matches skilled professionals with an owner's unique needs and a yacht's onboard culture. Once crew are placed in a role, employment and payroll services ensure compliance with the regulatory environment and mitigate liability, as well as providing crew management support through human resources comparable to those found onshore.
From the moment a crew member is on board, Hill Robinson's dedicated training service actively engages crew, fosters loyalty, and enhances progression. The Academy training platform offers tailored professional development through blended learning methods. In-person training courses specialise in management, leadership and interior training, while online courses cover onboarding to role-specific training.
As part of this package of support, the company has teamed up with the International Seafarers' Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) to provide a round-the-clock helpline to crew and their families. In addition, mental health awareness training and onboard welfare packs are provided in partnership with Seas the Mind, with the initial response from crew being incredibly positive.
The new Antibes office will act as the heart of Hill Robinson's crew services offering, for both existing crew as well as prospective entry-level crew. In fact, the team runs regular 'Introduction to Yachting' sessions to provide new candidates with advice and support as they seek their first position, with more than 200 people attending these sessions this season alone.
"With every owner and guest experience on board dependant on a yacht crew's professionalism, performance, and wellbeing, enhancing crew development is not just a perk but a strategic investment for us and our clients. By integrating and deepening our crew services to exceed standard market requirements, we are helping our yachts attract and retain the best team possible," said Kayleigh Liddell, Crew Services Coordinator.
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