Iñaki Poli

Bio

As Deputy Head of Yacht Management at Camper & Nicholsons, Iñaki Poli brings over 25 years of international maritime experience, spanning commercial shipping, offshore operations, and the luxury cruise industry. With a strong technical and operational background, he combines hands-on engineering knowledge with senior management expertise to support the safe, efficient, and effective operation of vessels.

Having held leadership positions across technical management and vessel operations, Iñaki brings a wealth of experience in managing complex projects, leading multicultural teams, and making strategic decisions in demanding operational environments. He is particularly drawn to the superyacht industry for its exceptional design, technical precision, and the high standards of craftsmanship and service it demands.

Background

Iñaki began his career at sea, serving on various types of vessels and progressing from Deck Officer to Chief Engineer. This experience provided him with an extensive understanding of vessel systems and operations, as well as the ability to anticipate and resolve complex technical challenges.

He trained at the Nantes Maritime Academy in France, obtaining his Captain and Chief Engineer C2NM qualifications. His additional certifications include Designated Person Ashore (DPA), Company Security Officer (CSO), and Internal Auditor qualifications with DNV and Bureau Veritas.

His international career has equipped him with a broad range of expertise across technical and operational management, financial oversight, quality, health, safety and environmental standards, contractual matters, and client relationships. Fluent in English and French, with advanced Italian and basic Spanish, he brings a multicultural perspective to his role.

Experience

Throughout his career, Iñaki has held a succession of increasingly senior positions across the maritime industry. Following his time at sea, he moved ashore into project management and technical superintendent roles, where he developed extensive experience coordinating teams, managing third parties, and delivering projects within defined budgets and timeframes.

He subsequently progressed into senior leadership positions, including Technical Manager, Operations Director, and Head of Technical. In these roles, he was responsible for overseeing technical and operational activities, managing large international teams, addressing critical situations, and contributing to strategic decisions aimed at improving organisational performance.

Although his career to date has focused on commercial and offshore maritime operations rather than yachting directly, Iñaki brings highly transferable expertise in vessel management, technical operations, leadership, and operational discipline. At Camper & Nicholsons, he looks forward to applying this experience to the specific requirements of yacht management, helping maintain the highest standards of safety, performance, and service.

Outside of work, Iñaki enjoys DIY projects, hiking, and rugby.