One Year In: Bas Edmonds Reflects on his first 12 months as Managing Director of Cheetah Marine

Bas Edmonds - Managing Director of Cheetah Marine © RS Marine Group

In September 2024, Bas Edmonds stepped into the role of Managing Director at Cheetah Marine, bringing with him a career steeped in marine compliance, technical innovation, and leadership. Now, nearly one year on, Bas reflects on a transformative 12 months marked by change, opportunity and a renewed sense of direction for the long-standing powercat manufacturer.

With previous roles at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), HPiVS, World Sailing, and the Royal Yachting Association (RYA), Bas arrived with a deep understanding of regulatory standards and marine innovation. His appointment signalled a strategic evolution for Cheetah Marine - part of RS Marine Group - towards modernisation and broader market appeal, while remaining rooted in the brand's renowned legacy of strength, reliability and performance.

Repositioning a Legacy Brand

Taking over from former owner and director Sean Strevens, Bas inherited a strong but niche brand, primarily known for its rugged commercial fishing boats. But with that market not as active as it used to be, a key challenge of Bas' first year was reimagining what Cheetah Marine could be - and who it could serve.

"Building on Sean's legacy meant recognising how far Cheetah had come - and understanding how far it could still go," Bas explains. "Commercial fishing was the core DNA, but we needed to explore where else the platform could thrive. That meant breaking the mould of what people traditionally think a Cheetah is."

That exploration led to a broader vision for the powercat platform. Today, Cheetah Marine boats are being positioned not just for work, but for leisure, tourism and specialist operations. From family boats and luxury water taxis to diving platforms, survey vessels and police craft, the message is clear; a Cheetah can be much more than just a fishing boat.

Incremental Innovation and Steady Progress

While some marine brands shout about revolutionary technology, Bas' approach to innovation is more methodical. "We're not chasing headlines," he says. "Our focus has been on refining a product that's seen very little change in 35 years - modernising it in small, meaningful ways."

Those subtle shifts include design refinements down to the millimetre - like adjusting a deck corner radius for better performance and efficiency - as well as behind-the-scenes improvements to production scheduling and documentation. Perhaps most importantly, the team has started to build an internal library to catalogue successful builds and repeat best practices.

"There's a real push towards consistency," says Bas. "Cheetah has long leaned into bespoke builds, but we're now recording what works really well and creating a more repeatable standard. If someone says, 'You built a brilliant boat five years ago,' we want to be able to reference it exactly."

Stability and Community at the Core

Despite the changes, Cheetah's long-standing team remains its greatest asset. "I may be new, but the people who make up Cheetah have been here for years," Bas reflects. "Waldek Borkiewicz, our laminate manager, has been here 18 years. Lee Brown, our production manager, for 14. That depth of knowledge and continuity is what really defines the company."

This stable, experienced team has been crucial in navigating a year of change - one that involved aligning more closely with RS Marine Group's broader standards and strategy, including cross-collaboration with sister brand RS Electric Boats.

A Greener Future on the Horizon

Looking forward, electrification sits at the heart of Bas' priorities. The company is heavily involved in the ZENOW Project, developing the RSE Cheetah 950e, an all-electric powercat designed to demonstrate zero-emissions technology in commercial, real-world scenarios.

"The opportunity here is huge," says Bas. "Electrification isn't just a trend - it's a necessity. The challenge now is finding the right early adopters, especially in the private sector, to prove this technology works across all markets."

A Year of Foundation and Vision

Bas Edmonds' first year at the helm of Cheetah Marine has been about more than just steering a course - it's been about redefining the map. With international sales - including boats now operating in the Caribbean and the US - Cheetah Marine's reputation is gaining momentum on a global scale. "We're seeing more markets recognise what Cheetah can do, and that's opening doors to exciting possibilities," Bas adds.

Through careful evolution, strong leadership and a deep respect for the team's legacy, he's helped lay the foundation for Cheetah's next chapter; one that honours its heritage while embracing a broader, more sustainable future.

For more information on Cheetah Marine's range of boats, visit: www.cheetahmarine.co.uk/en/ranges