We take a look back at the last 50 years, celebrating the milestones that made Burgess the go-to yachting specialist that it is today.
Celebrating our milestones
Published 02 一月 2025
1975
13 March: Nigel Burgess Ltd founded in London by Nigel Burgess
1979
Burgess launches office in Monaco
Burgess sells the 57m (187ft) MAJESTIC M, which is renamed MIDNIGHT SAGA (currently MESERRET II), one of the largest yachts in the world at the time
1981
March: Jonathan Beckett joins Nigel Burgess Ltd
‘I joined Nigel Burgess in March 1981 on the salary of £3,000, and thought that was terrific,’ Beckett recalls. ‘It was really a small business – the whole yachting community was a small industry in those days and yachts were selling for somewhere between $100,000 and $1 million. The largest deal ever was about $4-5 million.’
1984
Burgess ventures into yacht charter with the creation of the Charter division
1987
Yacht Management division is created, following the sale of the 86m (282ft) motor yacht NABILA, later renamed TRUMP PRINCESS and then KINGDOM 5-KR. This yacht is still under management by Burgess today
1992
November - Nigel Burgess, the company's founder, dies tragically whilst competing in the single-handed Vendée Globe round the world race
1998
Burgess expands into the USA and opens an office in Fort Lauderdale
2001
Burgess is the first yacht brokerage firm to receive the prestigious Queen's Award for Enterprise. The presentation takes place on board 71m Amels motor yacht BOADICEA at Tower Bridge, London
Burgess New Construction department is created
Burgess sells PLATINUM, the world's largest private motor yacht at 160m (524.9ft), built at Lurssen
2002
Athens office opens
2003
Palma office opens
2004
Burgess takes a bite of The Big Apple and opens for business on Manhattan's Upper East side, the first full-service yacht brokerage company to have an office in New York
2005
During 2005 Burgess New Construction division develops and manages 18 projects with an average length of 80m (circa 260ft) each
Fort Lauderdale office relocates to Miami
OceanStyle, a subsidiary of Burgess specialising in 25m to 45m sports yachts, opens in London, Monaco and Miami
2006
Seattle office opens
2007
September: Company rolls out its new corporate identity at the Monaco Yacht Show and is renamed Burgess
2009
Mumbai office opens
Burgess sells the iconic, award-winning, 88m (288.7ft) sailing yacht MALTESE FALCON
Burgess launches Burgess Crew Services (Guernsey) PCC Limited - a robust and cost-effective structure through which yacht crew may be employed
2010
Santa Monica office opens
2011
Tokyo office opens
2012
Burgess expands its presence in Mallorca and moves into a newly built office in Port Adriano, the first port in the world designed by Phillipe Starck
Burgess Technical Services signs contract to manage the build of the largest yacht ever built in Holland on behalf of the owners
2013
The world’s largest private yacht, the spectacular 180m motor yacht AZZAM is launched. Burgess Technical Services was appointed as the owner’s technical consultants and project managers in the very initial stages of design to develop the brief and commission the build. A landmark not just for Burgess but for the whole superyacht industry
Burgess launches Burgess Yachting Financial Services, to build on the wealth of experience from across the Burgess group, to offer a comprehensive yacht insurance solution for any yacht
2014
Burgess expands its presence in the USA, opening a new office in Los Angeles and moving into larger premises in New York. The new office on East 61st Street brings together the largest team of superyacht experts in Manhattan
2015
Burgess celebrates its 40th anniversary by opening Burgess Asia, a full service superyacht operation based in Singapore and Hong Kong
2016
Burgess expands into the Middle East with the opening of the new Dubai operation
Burgess leaves its London Pall Mall address and moves all departments into Cunard House on Regent Street, where a second floor has been acquired allowing for future company growth
2017
The 110m JUBILEE is delivered. Burgess New Construction served as owner’s representative on the project, providing technical consultancy and project management throughout the entire build process
2018
Shanghai office opens in partnership with IYAT
2019
January: Burgess Asia team recognised as the Best International Asia-Based Brokerage Company at the Christofle Yacht Style Awards
Burgess Global Partnership programme announced at The Superyacht Show in Barcelona, championing those employees that have shown sustained loyalty and commitment
Burgess expands into Asia, launching in Thailand
2020
Burgess Blue Oceans was launched, partnering with Blue Marine Foundation. All funds raised go straight to conservation projects in yachting destinations
Burgess strengthens Hong Kong and Macau team with JW Marine partnership, bringing the two founders of this local yacht brokerage into key roles for Burgess
2023
November: Expands in the US with a new office in Miami’s financial district
Published our first annual Impact Report to highlight how our ESG policy is impacting our business, and why we are working today for tomorrow
2024
Partnered with Wanda Yacht Management to offer a local service to its growing base on Chinese clients
Launched a conservation project to protect Mediterranean seagrass: Saving Seagrass
Burgess Procurement launched Wine by Burgess, offering wine and spirits supply to yachts in our managed and charter fleets
Burgess launches its Caribbean Crew Scholarship, a groundbreaking initiative designed to support young people from the Caribbean who wish to pursue careers in the superyacht industry
Burgess launches a ground-breaking partnership with luxury travel company Joro
2025
March: Burgess celebrates its 50th anniversary