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Tony Fleming
Tony Fleming, a British born U.S. citizen, has been called a Renaissance man, having the skills of an engineer and the eye of an artist. After 20-years of working for American Marine, builder of the Grand Banks brand of motoryachts, he took his idea of a new pilothouse design to Taiwan, selected the Tung Hwa factory, and started what has become the Fleming legacy.
In January of 2005, Tony took delivery of hull number one of his newest design, the Fleming 65, which he named VENTURE. Since that time he has cruised more than 20,000 miles, using VENTURE as a test bed for new ideas and equipment. Equally important, he's finally getting the opportunity to enjoy cruising while finding even more ways to make Fleming "the ultimate cruising yacht."
Today Tony has turned over much of the everyday boatbuilding responsibilities to his management team, consisting of Adi Shard, Nicky Fleming and Duncan Cowie. This has allowed him to pursue his lifelong passion for videography and filmmaking. A number of his highly acclaimed cruising DVDs are available on this web site and provide an entertaining insight into the man, the boats he has built and the adventures he's had over his forty-year career.
Nicky Fleming
Nicky Fleming was born in Hong Kong where her father, Tony Fleming was working for Grand Banks. She then moved to Singapore, as did Grand Banks and later to England for college. Nicky trained in cooking and worked in restaurants in England and later California.
When Tony's business partner Anton Emmerton died, Nicky stepped in to help Tony with general administrative work for Fleming Yachts. For five years, she and Tony were the only employees of Fleming Yachts. Now with the addition of Adi Shard, Duncan Cowie, Tsai and Simon Culling, Nicky is enjoying her position as director of marketing, running Fleming's California office.
Adi Shard
Born in London, Adi (short for Adrian) graduated from the University of Bristol with a mechanical engineering degree. Between his third and fourth year of college, he worked for a shipyard refitting Warships and submarines for the Ministry of Defense.
After completing college he was contacted by Tony, his uncle, about working for Fleming Yachts. In 1998 Adi moved to Taiwan and began working full time at the Tung Hwa facility. During the next five years, while Tony was still at the factory full time, Adi learned the art of boatbuilding first hand while applying the engineering knowledge he gained at college and during his work for the Ministry of Defense.
Today Adi represents the Fleming brand at Tung Hwa, ensuring that each yacht is built to the rigid specifications first outlined by Tony Fleming. Adi speaks fluent Mandarin as well as the local Taiwanese dialect, greatly simplifying communications between the Fleming staff and the Tung Hwa workers.
Duncan Cowie
Duncan is Tony's right hand man in the field. Like Tony, Duncan was trained in the aeronautical industry. He was employed as an avionics engineer with a commercial airline in the UK for seven years. He then changed tack and took up professional sailing onboard a variety of large yachts, working as engineer/captain in places as far a field as the Artic Circle, Mediterranean and the Caribbean.
In 2001 Tony offered Duncan a place on the Fleming team where his extensive experience at sea would be of great value. Duncan is now responsible for the day-to-day operations of Fleming Yachts including service, warranty and liaison with its dealers. He travels regularly to the Tung Hwa factory in Taiwan as well as to boats shows and dealers worldwide. His personal contact with Fleming owners provides feedback to the factory where "The Ultimate Cruising Yacht" continues to evolve utilizing today's latest technology.
Simon Culling
Born and educated in London, Simon joined the British Army as a Seaman/Navigator, where he navigated British Army vessels up to 75 meters and taught navigation on the Ocean/Celestial level. Following his 20-year military service he became the principal of the largest powerboat and motor yacht training school in the UK, which was approved by the Royal Yachting Association.
He later took on the post of after sales manager with the Fleming and Grand Banks dealer in the UK, which he held for five years before joining Fleming Yachts. Simon is responsible for maintaining and enhancing the compliance of Fleming Yachts in meeting and exceeding the requirements of CE, ABYC and Australian Boat building requirements. He is also charged with producing owner's manuals, technical files and other necessary documentation required on board.
Tsai
Newest member of the Fleming team is Tsai, a Taiwanese born, American educated boat builder. After working in the U.S. for five years in boat maintenance, Tsai moved back to his native Taiwan and worked for both a Taiwanese as well as a U.S. boatbuilder. He joined Fleming in the beginning of 2007.
Tsai concentrates on quality control issues, making sure all yachts are built to Fleming's high standards. He provides assistance and support to Adi and serves as a liaison between Fleming and local and foreign suppliers.