Tony Ross - Managing Director

After some time naval gazing, Tony Ross decided what it was he wished to be doing with his life.  It was a decision to get back to a childhood dream of building a yacht that led him into the marine industry and the Gold Coast.

Taking a year to construct a 50’ Schooner “Carolina”, Tony did the majority of the work with his own hands.  Whilst this was good for the soul, he realised he could have his cake and eat it too, so with a strong sales and marketing background and a burning desire to be in the marine industry, he purchased the majority of shares in Ensign Ship Brokers in 2004.

Today, with over 20 years of experience in the boating industry, it is Tony Ross’s tenacious commitment to ethical business standards that ensures you are dealing with an exceptional businessman renowned for results and the ultimate growth of Australia’s largest boat brokerage.

Despite the economic climate, the last few years have been a time of rapid growth for Ensign Ship Brokers in the marine industry.  The next few years also promise to be exciting times with selling rights for some of the world’s most prestigious brands including Bavaria, IAG Yachts, Rhea, McConaghy Yachts, Hershein and Voyager Power Catamarans.

Now Australia’s leading brokerage with seven offices Australia wide and satellite offices in Korea, Singapore, China and another slated for Malaysia in 2012, Tony and his specialist team of brokers are synonymous with achieving outstanding results for clients and repeat customers.

Ensign educates clients on how to use and care for their boats and that service extends well into the future of these relationships.

Tony has also ensured that Ensign is an all-encompassing brokerage. With international contacts, Ensign can foster a seamless purchase of overseas vessels including sourcing, inspecting, marine surveys, purchasing, registration transfers, insurance, delivery and importation.

A passionate sailor and owner of many sizes and styles of vessel, he is actively involved in the marine industry community and sits on the committee of Marine Queensland.

Tony is looking to make Ensign Ship Brokers the leading brokerage in the world, and he doesn’t measure that in monetary value, but in buyer and seller satisfaction.

 Peter Moloney

Gold Coast born and bread and the "Old Salt" of the crew, Peter gained early boating experience crewing charter boats in the Mediterranean in the seventies. After selling his business in 1980, Peter and some friends bought a 42' Chapelle Gaff Schooner and sailed it to Rhode Island for the successful Australian Americas Cup Challenge in 1983 as a prelude to cruising the Bahamas, Virgin Islands, Caribbean and adjoining areas for the next four years. After returning to Australia and with a couple of businesses behind him, Peter joined Ensign as a boat broker and has since fostered some very successful sales. Peter's cruising knowledge and experience is available to any potential customers, and he finds great personal satisfaction finding the right boat to suit the buyer, be it power, house or sail.

 Richard Llewellyn

Richard has been in the marine industry on the Gold Coast for more than 20 years, and has held a Coxswain Certificate for over 15 years. A boating adventurer all his life, Richard has been around boats since he was 3 years old and loves every minute of it. Honest, reliable and keen to assist, Richard’s experience in commercial boating has included the operation of watersports businesses, charter operations and commercial vessel tuition services. Richard prides himself on his ability to match boaties with the right boats, and through persistence, vigilance and dedication more often than not he achieves this result. Always eager to provide assistance in any way possible, Richard is ready to help with your enquiries today.

Jules Legge

Jules has grown up around the ocean and boats his whole life. Helping his dad to build ships at the old Ballina, Brunswick Heads and Tweed Heads Slipways planted the seed for his love of boats, the sea and basically constructing and building from scratch anything that moves…cars, bikes, boats, buses, motor homes etc. In 2007 Jules and his family built their own 40 foot motor home and travelled around the coast of Australia for two years, experiencing all the amazing places in our very own backyard. On his days off you will find him out in his lovingly restored Seafarer runabout with his family wakeboarding, fishing or skurfing.

Peter Nicholson

Peter Nicholson joined the Ensign Team mid 2010. He has been actively involved in the marine industry for the past six years marketing Australian built vessels to Australian and international clients. He has successfully managed the production and sales of a number of different Australian brand vessels into China, New Zealand, USA and The Middle East.

In recent years has owned sport cruisers on the Gold Coast, however, prior to moving into powerboats he owned a number of offshore racing yachts that he and his crew campaigned seriously on the East Coast of Australia during the 1980’s and 90’s commencing with a 25ft JOG yacht graduating to a 42ft IOR/IMS fractional rigged performance ocean racing yacht. Peter has also raced internationally in Europe and the USA, being chosen to crew on Gretel 11 during the 1970 and 1977 America’s Cup Challenges in Newport, Rhode Island. He continued to sail Gretel 11 until 1983 when he helmed the boat at the ‘Advance Australia Challenge Series’ in Melbourne against Australia 11 and Challenge 12. Peter has sailed in ten Sydney Hobart Yacht Races, twice skippering the boat. Peter holds an Offshore/Inshore Skippers certificate with the Australia Yachting Federation. He has also cruised the East Coast of the USA and the Caribbean.

Having been a passionate racing yachtsman and in 1996 he was invited to change pace and navigate Stefans pink class one offshore powerboat in the Australian New Zealand series of that year. Certainly a change of pace! He was also involved with junior sail training introducing young men and women into yachting and racing during the 1980’s. He continues to be passionate about all forms of boating and the marine industry in general and enjoys assisting those interested in purchasing or selling their boat.

 Jason Chipp

Ensign Ship Brokers welcomes the addition of Jason Chipp to their team.

Happily married with 3 beautiful children, Jason looks forward to developing strong relationships with all of his clients – whether they be selling, purchasing or enjoying their new boat.

Following the completion of a degree in International Business, Jason has been actively involved in the marine industry for the last 17 years. Working in key management positions, Jason’s hands-on focus has been on the manufacturing and marketing of new fiberglass vessels and it is this thorough understanding of boats, from conception and design right through to launch and after sales support, that will serve Jason well in his new role at Ensign Ship Brokers.

Jason is a specialist ‘New-Boat’ broker and will be responsible for promoting Ensign’s range of new vessels, like the exciting line of Bavaria Power and Sail craft, in addition to servicing the demands of our used boat listings as well.

Branko Jerbic

"I have been playing  with and  involved with various boats from a very early age. Growing up we always had family holidays aboard a boat in the Med or UK coastal waters. My first boat was a two seater 10’ Apollo with a 40hp outboard which wetted my appetite for performance.  Having owned many boats over the years  I  have been fortunate to have cruised in various international locations. I have been involved in offshore powerboat racing and have a great respect for the open sea.  For many years whilst at school and in the years after, I enjoyed rowing in shell sweep 8’s , 4’s and sculls on the Thames in London.
I have been running my own successful businesses in the UK for over 20 years and working with long term clients and manufacturers to a high standard.

Combining my sales, international corporate client contacts and boating experience brought me to Ensign Ship Brokers where I specialise in larger vessels.

I offer a high level of service and experience with high profile clients. Regardless of whether you are a seller or a buyer I will take a personal interest in looking after you from start to finish and beyond. "

 Barry Gray

Mark Ali – Ensign National Group Sales Manager

Mark has been in and around the boating industry for many years and is widely known throughout the Australian marine culture particularly in the luxury vessel end of the market. He has been based at the Spit at Main Beach since 2003 after moving up from Sydney to establish a new headquarters.

Mark has represented iconic brands such as Princess and Sunseeker and was the QLD importer for Jeanneau Prestige Motor Yachts (World Wide Dealer of the year 2006) as well the famous Williams Performance Jet Tenders.

 Paul Taylor

Paul comes from the action sports industry and has a great passion for all things boating.
A keen yacht racer, fisherman, and surfer having grown up sailing and boating in Victoria and Queensland along with several extended stints overseas he’s happiest when he’s on the water.
Having built several successful businesses over the past couple of years his enthusiasm, attention to detail, and customer service is second to none.

“Growing up with a grandfather of Danish shipwright heritage, who spent his life as a seafarer. It was only natural that I would have a great love for boats. I have very fond memories of the colourful stories of his many escapades crossing the oceans of the world and his love of the sea.”

“Working with the Ensign team has given me the opportunity to combine my professional skills in business with my life’s passion for boating”.

Whether its finding the right boat for you or selling your current vessel Paul will give you honest advice and go out of his way to make the process both enjoyable and a great experience.

Jay Lancaster

Jay’s passion for the ocean started at a very young age growing up surfing on the Gold Coast.

This love of surfing lead Jay into a career as a surf videographer and it wasn’t long before international surf wear brand Billabong, asked him to join the team and develop their in-house Audio Visual Department. He spent three and a half years with Billabong honing his marketing skills and travelling the world creating movies and advertising material. During this time Jay worked on surf charter boats throughout Indonesia and realised how incredible it feels to spend time on the water.

Jay decided to leave the position to spend more time at home and with his love of people and desire for a new challenge he started selling real estate. Back on the Gold Coast boating became much more of his life and so did his desire to get involved with the boating industry.

Though mutual friends Jay met Tony and Marianne from Ensign and the opportunity to combine his love for sales, marketing and boats was there, so he took it and has never looked back.

As a broker Jay sets himself apart from the pack with his high level marketing but his true value to his clients is his passion for people, boats and the lifestyle that it brings...whether you’re buying, selling or just enjoying your boat, Jay will be there to help.

Morwenna Berry

Morwenna has spent 6 years in Europe moving to the UK from France early 2010 to open the first Flow Rider in the UK during which time she became the European Flow Rider Champion for 2 consecutive years.

Having been at sea on Super Yachts for 5 years previous to this, mostly in the Mediterranean, she secured work on Super Yachts where her first role was as a deckhand.

Morwenna successfully completed her MCA / RYA Yacht Masters Offshore (Commercially endorsed) and became the youngest female Captain in Europe, being the Skipper on a busy Private/Charter yacht based in Monaco.

She has now logged over 20,000 nautical miles and her credentials include FPOS- First Person on the Scene Medic, Advanced Sea Survival and Rescue, AEC (Advanced Engineering Course) and First Response Medical Paramedic.
She has worked on a 28m Ferretti, 34m and 37m Sunseekers (overseeing at the Sunseeker factory during the build) and a 21 m Otam.

Morwennas vessel knowledge, coupled with her natural ability to make clients feel at ease make her a valued addition to the Ensign Team.

Having worked in the marine industry since 1992, Andy Howden is a qualified skipper and engineer.  Andy has spent the past decades working in the industry all over the world in Australia, the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean.  Originally trained in the engineering technical commissioning and customer service aspects of the industry he gained experience in  charter, multibrand sales new and second hand, distribution, after sales, service delivery and commissioning aspects of the marine industry. As an active member on the board of the Boating Industry of Australia’s  Marine Brokers Association Andy believes in ethical, professional business practice across the industry  and is an advocate to ensure the industry has standards that all can be proud of.   Andy has always been involved in nautical pursuits himself.  Being a keen cruising sailor on both cats and mono hulls, rescue diver, tournament fisherman, surfer, spearfisherman & currently trying to find  more time for  competitive sailing.

Andy can understand your boating needs and desires from a varied background in the marine industry.  As a director of Ensign Sydney and the importer of Bavaria Yachts and Power since 2002, he is committed to giving you a new level of customer service.  Andy represents true versatility as he deals with power boats, catamarans, yachts passage makers and large Motor Yachts.

Andy says” Ultimately the boat you buy will dictate how you use it  and where you enjoy it! Getting the equation right is what the TEAM at ENSIGN  here to help you with”  Whatever vessel you are after, Andy can be the man to help you find it.

Mark Bode

Mark Whitman

From a keen family of waterskiers and wakeboarders, Mark began a career in retail sales as a sales manager for Nokia/Vodafone in the UK, continuing for nearly 10 years.

In the mid 2000’s Mark chose to help a friend in a summer job selling luxury power boats where he discovered a taste and talent for boat sales.

From 2006–2008 Mark worked for a Jeanneau Prestige Power dealership helping it win world dealer of the year [2007] and continued in luxury power, yacht boat sales across the South Coast of the UK and Channel Islands until 2010.

Mark began his Australian yacht sales career when he joined the importers for Bavaria Yachts in Sydney.

With a focus on new boat sales, Mark is also familiar with most brokerage power boat and brokerage sailing yacht brands in Australia and around the world.

Rex O'Connor

Rex O’Connor is an accomplished Business Development Executive with more than 20 years experience selling to the global Marine Industry. He has held senior positions working for major multinational corporations with leading product brands, Original Equipment Manufacturers of Diesel and Dual Fuel Gas Engines, Transmissions, Propellers, Waterjets, Integrated Bridge Control and Monitoring equipment. Rex is passionate about the design, operational efficiency and performance of Merchant Ships, Ferries & Ro-Pax Vessels, Offshore Oil & Gas Service Vessels, Dredgers, Barges, Tugs & Workboats, Fishing Vessels and Megayachts. He has been industry trained in Naval Architecture, focusing on the application solutions for complete Power Generation and Propulsion Drivetrain Systems. His training includes Marine Engineering skills for all rotating and reciprocating machinery that can be found onboard a vessel or floating offshore platform.

Rex has the professional marine background knowledge to ease you into the right vessel application that best suits your needs!

Ant Kovacevic

"My passion lies within all aspects of the Marine World, especially boating and the lifestyle that they represent and offer us all. From an early age, I enjoyed helping my Father build and repair a wide variety of vessels. I decided at that point, that this was my preferred commercial and recreational future.

Desiring to be a part of the Marine Industry, my studies have gained me recognition as a fully qualified Naval Architect.

*I am a member of the Royal Institute of Naval Architects, and have been affiliated in the past with the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, and Institute of Engineers Australia.
*I am a member of the Volunteer Coast Guard.
*I have now combined all of that experience, with a solid background in engineering and surveying of commercial vessels.

Making the transition to Ensign Ship Brokers, working with Tony and his elite team, and representing such an array of world class brands, has been nothing less than phenomenal.

Now located at the new MOOLOOLABA Office in QLD, I am able to bring all my experience to help those wishing to buy or sell vessels. Whether it be a tinnie or a 100 foot luxury super yacht, you can be assured of receiving my personal commitment to quality, integrity and professionalism."

Phil Muston

"I have been involved in boating all my life, starting my sailing career in Manly Juniors. I progressed through many types of centre boarders during this time travelling overseas to attend various championships.

My family business, at the time was the largest ships chandlery in Sydney and went on to include manufacturing masts and stainless gear as well as boat building and fit-out. I currently own 50ft centre cockpit fibreglass yacht called “”Streetcar “” which is currently at Mooloolaba Marina. I have always enjoyed boats and the challenges of being in sales."

Stephen O'Connor

"I have 40 years of travel, tourism, airline  and hospitality experience in local, regional, and national General Management  appointments and known for implementing several iconic multi media campaigns throughout the South West Pacific. I have however, always enjoyed messing around with boats.  I initially leant to sail GP’s in Malaysia in the ‘60s graduating to club racing on 40ft – 60ft yachts in Lyttleton, Wellington and Auckland Harbours in New Zealand. In PNG in the eighties I  rebuilt a 34ft Flybridge Cruiser powered by two Volvo Penta 180b petrol engines with 240t legs. It took 18 months to complete, learning a lot  about boats from this experience.. I have now graduated to selling even bigger boats including Mono and Multi-hull sail and power vessels, so I am still messing around in boats.

I have been married to Frances for 35 years and I have a son Luke( 30), two daughters, Emma (28)  Courtney (26) and they live in Melbourne, Victoria, Caen, France and London, England  respectively."