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We’re continuing our Women in Yachting profile series with a conversation featuring Natalie Hedley-Ford, the ONE Account Director at Bluewater.
From childhood picnics at Heathrow Airport to a dynamic career in luxury yachting, Natalie’s journey exemplifies the exciting paths available in the yachting industry, even without serving a single day as superyacht crew.
Here, Natalie discusses her love for her job, the changes she’d like to see in the yachting industry, and the evolving role of women in the field. She also shares her insights on balancing a high-flying career in yachting with motherhood.
Natalie: I’ve always had the travel bug. As a child, I would picnic at Heathrow on Sundays, completely mesmerised by where those planes were headed. Watching Concorde take off and land was the highlight of my week! The desire for adventure stuck with me, even though school wasn’t a particularly happy place for me. As soon as I could, I chose a path in Travel & Tourism and earned a diploma in the field in the UK.
I spent 18 years as a travel agent, designing bespoke worldwide tours before moving into corporate travel. This role brought me to the South of France, where I eventually joined a yacht company. People say I’m lucky to be in such a glamorous industry, but I believe we make our own luck with the choices we make.
Natalie: I’ve been in yachting for almost 18 years. I started with another large yachting company in 2006 as a charter assistant, primarily managing concierge services for charter guests. It was exhilarating – I travelled to different destinations worldwide, meeting clients and ensuring they had exceptional experiences. Coming from a travel background, the move to yachting was a refreshing change, though it came with very long hours. Charter work can be a 24-hour role during peak season, and many in the industry would agree.
Natalie: My main focus is on client acquisition and retention. Much of my work involves encouraging clients to join our exclusive ONE Account programme for crew recruitment and training, as well as promoting other services that Bluewater offers, such as yacht management, charter management, and sales brokerage.
Natalie: I’m not a desk person; I’d rather be out meeting people. Travel is integral to my role, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s fulfilling to be warmly welcomed by captains, crew, and industry professionals, whether it’s in a beautiful marina, an industry event or a bustling shipyard. Gala dinners are very glamorous, but I am not averse to wearing a hard hat, steel toecap boots and climbing scaffolding to visit my clients. Being able to lend an ear and support our clients, even if it’s just by listening, is a big part of what makes this role rewarding.
Natalie: Yachting is undoubtedly one of the most luxurious industries, offering remarkable opportunities. However, it faces real challenges today. Environmental impact, poor crew conditions on some vessels, and selective hiring based on nationality are issues I’d like to see addressed. Excluding people based on nationality rather than skill isn’t acceptable, and it’s something the industry must work to improve.
Natalie: Over the years, I feel women are becoming more empowered and accepted within yachting. I know countless brilliant female peers who excel in their roles, and it’s heartening to see women contributing to, and enhancing, the industry.
Natalie: Unfortunately, sexist attitudes still exist in yachting. Some owners specify that crew must be ‘aesthetically pleasing,’ and men may still be earning more than women in some roles. However, I’m optimistic that equality is improving. I’ve had immense support throughout my career, particularly at Bluewater, where the female staff are highly valued and integral to our success. I’ve never felt undermined due to my gender.
Natalie: Fortunately, I have a very understanding husband and a teenage daughter who appreciate the demands of my job. Balancing work and family life is challenging, but we make it work, and I treasure the time we spend together as a family. There’s nothing better than coming home to big hugs. The time away makes home life even more precious.
Natalie: Naturally, family life requires sacrifices. As a mother, your child needs you, but fathers need to make sacrifices too. Being a full-time working woman with a demanding job isn’t easy, but when you’re passionate about your work, it drives you. I think every mother, whether working or staying at home, has both good and challenging days, and it’s important to find joy in each path.
Natalie: Life as a businesswoman doesn’t stop at 5 p.m. It’s about knowing when to focus on family and when to attend to work, balancing both. A successful home and work life requires flexibility and patience from everyone involved. The key is to let go of guilt and avoid over-apologising.
Natalie: Yachting is a serious career, not just a ‘holiday job.’ Certain TV shows can give a skewed impression, so we work with young people to manage their expectations and give them an honest view of the industry. We offer summer school programmes and training events to help young people get a taste of yachting.
My advice to newcomers is to treat it as a career. The hours can be long, especially in high season, and once you’re placed on a vessel, listening to your captain and department heads is crucial. Long-term dedication is key to success in yachting. Remembering these things will help you achieve your goals and enjoy the many rewards the industry offers.
Thank you, Natalie, for sharing your experiences and insights into this unique industry. We’re sure that little girl at Heathrow with her cheese sandwiches could never have imagined the adventures she would one day have around the world’s most exclusive superyachts!
