Managing Director, Clipper Ventures

Laura Ayres

Laura is a progressive, senior leader in sport, responsible for Clipper Ventures’ complementary range of sailing and adventure brands which includes Clipper Round the World Yacht Race (…)

, Hamble School of Yachting, SKIRR Adventures, Clipper China and Clipper Events.The most well-known event in Clipper Ventures’ portfolio is the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, which next year sees the launch of its 13th edition. The Clipper Race trains people from all walks of life and with a thirst for life-changing adventure, to cross oceans and take on the planet’s most hostile and remote environments. With no previous sailing experience required before signing up to the intense and rigorous four-week training programme, the event is a fiercely intense competition with human endeavour at its core. The 40,000nm race allows crew to sign up to one or multiple legs, or the full eleven-month circumnavigation and makes six ocean crossings, including the mighty North Pacific. With a multi-million-pound global sponsorship portfolio of private and public sector stakeholders, Laura has an extensive track record of delivering multi-platform campaigns in a global environment. She also recently oversaw the relaunch of experiential sailing brand Clipper Events which delivers sailing hospitality, big boat racing (including the Knox-Johnston Cup and upcoming Fastnet race campaign) and experiential leadership and development training. Over the past 26 years, Clipper Ventures has grown from a biennial yacht race to a multi-faceted company that enables people from all walks of life to participate in sailing-whether an ocean racing experience, adventure to the Arctic or earning a world class sailing qualification. The company strives to grow participation in sailing and provide more opportunities to discover our inspiring sport.