RS Marine Group appoints Ben Willows as CEO
Jon Partridge, Ben Willows and Alex Newton-Southon. Image courtesy of RS Marine Group.
UK-based RS Marine Group has appointed Ben Willows as its new chief executive. Willows brings over 20 years of experience in executive leadership, including his previous role as CEO of UKSA, a maritime training and youth development charity. At UKSA, he oversaw the expansion of its programmes to reach over 11,000 young people per year.
Willows has a long-standing personal connection with the RS brand, having sailed RS boats for nearly three decades, including RS200, RS600 and RS800 models. He is also familiar with the racing and community aspects of the brand.
He will be based across RS Marine Group’s three main sites: RS Sailing in Romsey and Cowes, RS Electric Boats in Hamble, and Cheetah Marine in Ventnor on the Isle of Wight. He joins managing directors Jon Partridge, Alex Newton-Southon and Bas Edmonds in leading the group.
“It started with an RS200 at Northampton Sailing Club back in 1997,” Willows reflects. “I then fell hard for the RS600, did the EuroCups, and loved every minute.”
“RS boats have been at the heart of my sailing journey and my family life. It feels like coming full circle.”
He adds: “RS is a brand of participation. Our mission is to enable access to the water through brilliant products. Whether it’s a 6-year-old in an RS Zest, a Masters champion helming an RS21, a club using the zero-emissions RS Pulse 63, or commercial crews operating a Cheetah Marine powercat – no other builder supports that full journey like RS. That’s our superpower.
“When you show up at an RS Sailing Nationals, you don’t just get a regatta — you get a community. That sense of belonging, across every class and age group, is something truly special. It’s what we want to champion and protect.”
RS Marine Group includes RS Sailing, RS Electric Boats and Cheetah Marine. Together they produce more than 35 models, from the RS Aero to Pulse 63 and Cheetah catamarans.
“Jon and Alex have driven this business forward and been part of the team for over 30 years,” Willows says. “My role is to build on that foundation – to structure the group for the future while staying true to what makes RS special.”
Alex Newton-Southon, managing director, RS Electric Boats, says: “We’re thrilled to welcome Ben to the team. His depth of experience and leadership will bring more cohesion as we continue to grow RS Marine Group into a truly unified organisation, rather than three successful businesses operating in parallel.
“Ben’s understanding of both the maritime world and the RS spirit makes him uniquely positioned to help shape our future — not just from a group level, but by working alongside us every step of the way.”
Jon Partridge, managing director, RS Sailing, says: “RS has always been more than just a brand – it’s a family, a community built around shared experiences on the water. Ben has been part of that story – as someone who’s lived it, raced it, and shared it with his own family. That deep, personal connection means he truly understands what RS stands for. We’re excited to have him join us – not just to lead the group, but to continue building this community.”
Bas Edmonds, managing director, Cheetah Marine, adds: “It’s an exciting new chapter for RS Marine Group with Ben taking the helm. His experiences within the marine industry are rare to find and highly valuable. I’m particularly looking forward to exploring the opportunities that come from having a strong local presence here on the Isle of Wight, with Ben also based on the Island. At Cheetah Marine, we’re excited to have his support as we continue to grow and innovate.”
