First Certified Marina Professional in Asia

by Colin Bransgrove on 3 Oct 2014 The Global Marina Institute (GMI) is pleased to announce the awarding of the first Certified Marina Professional (CMP) designation in Asia to Trevor Fong, Head of Marina Management at Keppel Land Hospitality Management (KLHM), and General Manager of the multi-award winning Marina at Keppel Bay (MKB) in Singapore.

The CMP certification is delivered through GMI members the British Marine Federation (BMF) and the Marina Industries Association (MIA). CMP applicants are required to have successfully completed the Advanced Marina Management course and demonstrate a minimum of five years’ senior management experience in the marina industries. CMP applicants also are required to submit a 5,000 word report on a marina related topic that will become a valuable reference for the marina industries. Trevor’s report focused on Marina at Keppel Bay’s business strategy to increase revenue from visiting superyachts, including an overview of the wider superyacht industry as well as highlighting issues which impact the yachting industry in Singapore and South East Asia.

Trevor has 15 years of senior business development and consulting experience combined with a strong cultural understanding of the Asia Pacific and the Middle East regions. Trevor is responsible for the overall management of Marina at Keppel Bay including the strategic planning and management of key projects, business development and maintaining customer relationships. Since taking over the reins, Trevor has led Marina at Keppel Bay to win numerous internationally-recognised awards and accreditations including the ‘International Marina of the Year 2013-2014’ and five Gold Anchors awarded by the MIA.

Trevor also oversees the development of Keppel Land’s integrated marina development in Zhongshan, China, as well as Nongsa Point Marina in the Riau Islands, of which Keppel has a 56% stake.

GMI Chairman Mick Bettesworth said the awarding of the first ever CMP designation in Asia is a significant milestone in the development of the international marina industry. 'Trevor’s achievement heralds the arrival of the Asian region as a significant and rapidly developing participant in the global marina industry. The delivery of the GMI career pathway for the marina industries in the Asia region is very important to ensure world class education and training underpins the roll out of infrastructure and services. The awarding of the CMP to Trevor provides a benchmark for others in the region to strive for.'

Upon receiving the certificate from Mick Bettesworth, Trevor Fong shared, 'This award has been achieved with the strong support and teamwork of my colleagues at Marina at Keppel Bay, Marina at Keppel Cove and Nongsa Point Marina. Since the establishment of Marina at Keppel Bay in 2008, together with my team of highly skilled and qualified marina managers accredited by bodies such as the GMI and MIA, we have worked hard to push the envelope for great service, infrastructure and environmental standards. We are heartened that our collective efforts have garnered regional as well as international industry recognition. This latest accreditation will spur us on our journey towards achieving excellence for our boaters, visitors and the wider yachting community.'

Trevor Fong was presented with his CMP designation by GMI Chairman Mick Bettesworth, GMI and MIA Director Jeff d’Albora and GMI Director and MIA EO Colin Bransgrove in Sydney on 1 October. Marina Industries Association website