People

Chris McMaster

Managing Director
As Managing Director, Chris has the advantage of coming from a family of sailors and sailmakers dating back to the early 1920's is paramount. His grandfather founded Boyd & McMaster sailmakers in the 1920's. His father then ran the company till Chris took over in 1985. Chris is a qualified sailmaker and upholsterer, but now focuses on managing the growing needs of an increasingly complex and technology driven business with satellite operations in New Zealand. Chris has raced in most offshore events from NZ together with many international regattas over the years and has been very actively involved in performance multihulls. His worldwide cruising and racing experience still benefits many sailors today and can undoubtedly offer those benefits to any customer - be it the youth dinghy sailor to the largest superyacht owner.
chris@doylesails.co.nz

Richard Bouzaid

Head Designer
The Bouzaid name is well known throughout the world's sailing fraternity. Richard's grandfather, Leo Bouzaid also started a sailmaking company in the early 1920's. His father Chris learned the trade from the grass roots up, continuing through when the company was involved in a merger in the 1970's with an international group. As head designer at Doyle NZ and Doyle international, Richard's experience aboard winning Volvo 60 yachts, America's Cup yachts and most One Design classes has significant advantages for the Doyle NZ customer. Richard is one of the world's leading sail designers and his technical know-how and experience in winning designs extends through both the local keelboat and international racing arenas. Richard also offers thousands of miles of offshore cruising experience to the offshore sailor, so no matter what the needs his experience will be of benefit.
rbouzaid@doylesails.com

Phil Houghton

Sales back up 
Phil learned to sail as a boy in Nelson, coming to Auckland to do his apprenticeship in 1983. He has had many experiences sailing in local and international regattas, including participation in the Whitbread Round the World event as sailmaker for Yamaha, who then went on to win. His vast knowledge of sail construction and sail shape makes Doyle NZ the leading choice for the local service of all classes and cruising yachts. Phil is one of the leading local personalities both in local club races and offshore events.
phizzle@doylesails.co.nz

Quinten Houry (Quinny)

Special Projects Manager
As special projects manager at Doyle NZ, Quinny's vast knowledge and unrivaled experience on superyacht sails is key to Doyle NZ's engineering and design excellence. Being part of the head design team for superyacht sails Quinny project manages and has hands on experience with every superyacht sail produced at Doyle NZ. Prior to becoming instrumental in the management at Doyle NZ he was involved with several leading European sailmakers in both design and engineering. His experience over 19 years has helped make Doyle NZ the leading choice of superyacht sails. Quinny is undoubtedly one of the most well know personalities within the superyacht market and a offers unique design experience.
quinny@doylesails.co.nz

Ross Dibley

One Design Manager
What Ross doesn't know about one design classes isn't worth knowing! Ross have been instrumental in the recent success of Doyle in the optimist and P class, his attention to detail, and ability to develop fast sails across a range of classes has brought him to prominence in New Zealand and internationally. ross@doylesails.co.nz

Andrew Pilcher

Local Sales
Andrew started sailmaking with Chris McMaster and progressed through part owning and managing a satellite operation shortly after. While sailmaking in Auckland he completed the RNZYS youth scheme starting in 1991. During this time he raced virtually every major sailing regatta and class championship on the local market, at some stage or another winning most. Andrew then moved offshore, sailing on some of the most prestigious race yachts, then taking up the position as sales manager for a very large Asian-based sailmaking company. During this time he competed as crew and occasionally skippering various yachts in the Kenwood Cup representing NZ, 3 China Sea cups, 3 Japan Cups, Seven Feet Cup match racing regatta in Russia and many other offshore and international regattas. Andrew's experience and relationship base extends heavily throughout Asia and the international sailing market. He offers knowledge of products and specification for anything from racing to cruising and without doubt will give the best advice for any customer.
andyp@doylesails.co.nz

Simon Kidd

Sales Manager
Simon's sailmaking career began in 1985 at Lidgard Sails as an apprentice then moving to join Nalder & Gould Sailmakers in 1989. During this time his specialist markets were one design dinghy classes then progressing to grand prix racing yachts. This led him overseas in 1993 for the Corum Cup. While based in Asia he ran the Neil Pryde Yacht Sail Division, working on the workshop floor with the Chinese sailmakers teaching them western sail making techniques and helping with quality control and general production. At that time Simon's skills were realised and he was asked to join Neil Pryde in the Hong Kong team for the Admiral's Cup Sailing the Mumm 36 with the Corum Sailing team. Simon also competed in numerous China Sea races, King's Cup regattas, President's Cup and Singapore Straits regattas, taking the podium in all at some stage over the years. From 1996 - 1997 he took over and managed the Yacht Sail Division until later becoming a partner in the business. Simon was then instrumental in setting up a new company producing the first non-branded production facility in the world. To his credit, most well-known brand sailmakers ended up purchasing pre made sails and then re-branding them. The concept took off quickly resulting in them building for most of the international brands. In 1999 he returned to New Zealand with wife and daughter for a well- earned break back in Nelson. That was the plan, but two days later joined up with old friends Bud Nalder and John Leydon to form the Doyle South Island branch. A call from Chris McMaster meant a move to Auckland to help run the quickly expanding Doyle Sails New Zealand. Simon has since become an integral part of the management team. Simon now focuses his time on the management of the sales force and specialises in the local market. His passion for sailing finds him on the race track every weekend in his own Farr 39 or on customer's yachts.
simon@doylesails.co.nz

Robert Eades

Marine Trimming Manager
Robert began work in the Marine industry over 15 years ago, training as a marine trimmer in the Auckland area. Over the years Rob has run his own business both locally and in the UK. During this time he specialised in high finish exterior marine trimming. As part of this business he specialised in the recovering of antique upholstery. Over the years Rob has worked on many top superyachts and offshore based projects. The skills learned have played a major part in offering the best service. Rob offers expert advice - whether it be an all-over powerboat cover right through to a 150' superyacht interior.
rob@doylesails.co.nz

Roger Hall

Production Manager
Roger started sailmaking so long ago no-one can remember and during his time as a sailmaker has sailed virtually every class making specialist one design sails for almost every international New Zealand sailor. He managed the Lidgard North Shore loft for many years before leaving to pursue a more international career, managing several America's cup lofts and shore bases. Over the last three years Roger has worked for Doyle NZ in various capacities, before being called on to manage the production for the ever-expanding three manufacturing facilities. This challenging role calls for his skills in management as well as sail design. He is responsible for almost all aspects of the production of the sail once the order is underway. Roger is actively involved in most dinghy classes locally and can be found taking part in regattas most weekends.
rogerh@doylesails.co.nz