Our Crew

Karen Schwerdt

KAREN SCHWERDT

Managing Director

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Karen Schwerdt

Karen Schwerdt has over thirty years of experience in

the Marine industry, mostly with the Beneteau brand. She started work

with the former Beneteau Dealer on the Lake in the mid-eighties and

apart from a four-year stint working in the Chandlery for a local Power

Boat Dealer, she has concentrated on the Sailing side of the industry.

She progressed from Chandlery Manager to Sales Manager and then when the

opportunity arose in 1997 to form Maiden Marine, she did so, taking on

the role of Managing Director.

Jim Schwerdt

JIM SCHWERDT

Director

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Jim Schwerdt

Jim Schwerdt brings with him a wealth of Industry

knowledge. Formerly Managing Director of Melges Race Boats in the UK, he

has travelled extensively, racing all types of craft, including doing

the “Whitbread” in ‘89/90. His professional connections with North

Sails, has brought Maiden the agency for the World’s leading sailmakers.

He concentrates on Managing the Boat Yard schedule, New Boat Sales,

Warranty and Aftersales back up and running the Sail and Canopy loft.

John Ettridge

JOHN ETTRIDGE

Director

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John Ettridge

John Ettridge, (Karen’s brother and a founder member of

the Maiden Marine team) is the Boat Yard Foreman and is a time served

Boat Builder. He has twenty five years of experience in GRP repairs and

just about anything to do with maintaining your yacht.

He organises the day to day running of the Boat Yard repair facility and

is an essential part of the full back up service Maiden provides.

Chris Cianchi

CHRIS CIANCHI

Brokerage Sales Manager

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Chris Cianchi

Chris Cianchi joined the Maiden Brokerage department in

February 2016. He had previously been working part-time with Lin in the

Sail/Cover loft. A boat owner himself, his main expertise is in Management Training but

he is putting his sailing and lake knowledge to good use in the

Brokerage Department.

Sue Gray

SUE GRAY

Accounts

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Sue Gray

Sue joined our team in 2018 and provides book keeping, accounts and office management to our team.

Nick Morgans

NICK MORGANS

Chandlery Sales Manager/Boat Sales

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Nick Morgans

Nick Morgans started working in Maiden’s busy Chandlery

shop in March 2016. As well as his previous chandlery shop experience,

he is a Dinghy Sailing Instructor, along with being a coach for both

Paddle Boarding and Kayaking. So you are just as likely to see him on

the water as in our shop!

Lin Gregory

LIN GREGORY

Designer & Machinist in Sail Loft

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Lin Gregory

The Canvas, Canopy and Sail Loft work is all carried out by Lin Gregory.

She is incredible at designing and building custom built covers. She

has extensive machining experience and can produce all types of

covers/canvas work for both sail and power boats. She also produces new

upholstery for inside & outside and carries out Sail valeting and

repairs.

Simon Crowder

SIMON CROWDER

Chief Marine Engineer

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Simon Crowder

Simon Crowder joined us in 2010 and is a great asset to our team.  He heads

the Engineering Team and specialises in a wide variety of inboard and

Outboard Engines.  If it doesn’t run, he can fix it!  He also drives the crane

and provides back up to the Boat Yard Team.

Martin Dennison

MARTIN DENNISON

Boat Yard Technician

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Martin Dennison

Martin Dennison returned to our Boat Yard Team in 2015 having previously worked for us

and brings with him great experience in all types of sailing and power boat repairs. He heads the Boat Yard Team and undertakes all types of boat yard work, craning, polishing, repairing, antifouling, boat handling and maintenance with knowledge and expertise.

NEIL CROWDER

OB Sailing Tuition & Charter

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Neil Crowder runs OB Sailing School & Charter business from our

jetties. He provides sailing tuition to RYA standard and offers a

variety of bareboat charter options.

CHARLIE TURNER

Marine Engineer

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Charlie joined us in 2019 when we took over the Marina Boat Yard.

He is a great asset to the engineering team and has a wide

knowledge of both inboard and outboard engines.

Stuart Greenwood

STUART GREENWOOD

Marine Engineer

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Stuart Greenwood

Stuart joined us in 2022 and he has quickly become a great team

member and asset to the Engineering team.  He specialises

in Outboard Engine repairs.

Matt Dennison

MATT DENNISON

Boat Yard Technician

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Matt Dennison

Matt joined us in 2019, he is brother to Martin and a great team member! 

He also undertakes a wide variety of Boat Yard work.  Everything

from polishing, antifouling, crane operator, boat handling, repairing

and maintenance.

Steve Watson

STEVE WATSON

Boat Yard Technician

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Steve Watson

Steve joined us in 2022 having previously been a boat owner and client

of Maiden.  He has quickly brought his skills to the Boat Yard Team.

His roles include boat handling, cleaning, polishing, antifouling,

repairing and maintenance.

IAN FRITH

Boat Yard Technician

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Ian joined Maiden in 2020, but he previously worked in this building when

it was Robson in Lakeland and has worked on Windermere for 40 years.

He has extensive Lake knowledge and vast experience in all aspects of

repairing and maintaining boats.

Olivia Wilson

OLIVIA WILSON

Apprentice Bookeeper & Accounts

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Olivia Wilson

Olivia joined us in 2020 and works alongside Sue in the Account Department

whilst also doing her AAT exams at college.

Keith Morgans

KEITH MORGANS

Manager

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Keith Morgans

Keith has worked alongside us as a Marine Surveyor, for many years and he joined our team in 2022 to run our Whitehaven Branch, which he does on a part time basis. He has an extensive wealth of knowledge about the Marine industry and can assist with selling your boat on brokerage, or help you to find a new one. He also oversees our well stocked Chandlery in Whitehaven. He is based in the office four days a week and available through our contact us page.