He was introduced to mast making from an early age, his father being managing director of Proctor Masts during the 1970s and 1980s. Proctors subsequently became part of Selden in 1997.

Mike Orange has been appointed technical director at Ocean Yacht Systems (OYS).

Having successfully served as chief designer of OYS, Orange and his team are well prepared to provide the required levels of technical service and continuity of service required by OYS customers.

As a qualified naval architect, Orange has extensive experience of design, production, project management and sales.

Ultimately responsible for the development of new products, he will work closely with customers to develop new leading edge solutions to increasingly demanding applications. In addition, he will assume overall responsibility for the provision and specification of engineering and technical data.

Having previously developed a number of designs from concept to production for projects such as Mirabella V, Athena, BMW Oracle Racing and the Transpac 52 Class, Orange has all the necessary capabilities to take OYS to the forefront of technical development. His extensive composites experience will be of great benefit to OYS.

Robbie Sargent has been appointed to the new position of superyacht product manager at Navtec. Starting in late June, he will be responsible for supervising the rigging of yachts over 200ft.

Sargent, 38, was formerly technical director of Ocean Yacht Systems. Prior to that he worked for nine years at Riggarna Rigging. He also worked in project management on many of the world's largest sailing yachts, including Mirabella V.

He is an avid sailor, taking part in club sailing and cruising on his 27ft sloop. Originally from Dublin, he and his wife Janis live in Lymington.

Bengt Wallin of Svenska Massan was elected president of the International Federation of Boat Show Organisers (IFBSO) last month. The post had been vacant since Paul Streeter resigned from the UK's National Boat Shows in February of this year, just eight months into his two-year term as president.

Wallin was responsible for organising the Swedish International Boat Show for nine years and has been a member of the executive committee and treasurer of IFBSO since 2001.

Carine Equeter has been appointed head of international sales at Scanstrut.

Originally from Belgium, Equeter moved to England 12 years ago, settling in the South West. Though new to the marine industry, she has held sales and marketing positions with local manufacturing companies serving the oil, automotive and adhesive industries both in the UK and abroad.

Richard Hewett has been appointed general manager at Peters Opal to strengthen retail sales for the Azimut, Sealine and Rodman brands, and to co-ordinate the aftersales and service functions of the company.

Previously operations director for Opal Marine, Hewett's responsibilities will also extend to liaison with Peters Spain SL at Cala d'Or, which has reopened following major refurbishment, and the promotion of the new sales offices in Alcudia and Sotogrande in southern Spain.