Craig Bond, having previously worked for Sailspar and Fox's Masts and Rigging in Ipswich, has been appointed sales and technical manager.

Between them, Francis and Bond have over 50 years experience in the mast making business.

Loic Gilbert of parent company Z Spars France says:

"We are grateful to David White for the success he has brought to Z Spars UK over the years.

We wish him the very best in his retirement and have every confidence in the experienced new management team of Marilyn and Craig."

Also joining the Z Spars UK team is Allan (Jock) Murray, formerly of the Boathouse in Penryn. With his extensive experience of mast making and rigging boats from dinghies to superyachts, Murray will be responsible for production and for the day to day running of the factory.

As the stock of elderly sailing cruisers gets ever bigger, the market for replacement spars and rigging grows as insurers and surveyors get hotter on old rigs, so the new Z Spars UK team anticipates increasing levels of business from this market as well as from the OEMs.

"Craig and I are excited to be taking on the management of Z Spars UK, " said Francis.

"We aim to continue expanding into the one-off and replacement markets, whilst maintaining our excellent relationships with our production boatbuilder clients."