Based in the UAE / Available globally / Remote support with optional site visits
Experience Ecosystem
Services
Marina Design & Development Yacht Club & Upland Commercial & Destination Benchmarking Studies Sustainability & Smart Marina Pre-Opening & Mobilisation Customer Experience Operations & Management Standards & Accreditation Yacht Charter Operations
Leadership
Philip Sather — CMM Oliver Rees The partners Let's talk
Partners on the dock / marina wide
The partners

Operators,
not observers

FMD is led by people who have opened, run and optimised the assets other consultants write about. Each a specialist in their craft, brought together so a developer can put an operator's judgement into the room before the concrete is poured.

Senior partners Two
PS
Founder & Senior Partner

Philip Sather

Certified Marina Manager (CMM)
Marina Operations Pre-Opening Readiness SOPs & Systems KPIs & Reporting Service Standards Five Gold Anchor

Philip Sather is a Certified Marina Manager (CMM) and the pioneer of the Fractional Marina Director — a model that gives marinas, yacht clubs, and waterfront developments access to Director-level leadership without the cost of a full-time hire.

Listed in the Global Marina Institute CMM Directory, Philip has led marina operations and projects across the UAE and international markets — including Director of Operations at Dubai Marina Yacht Club, a 575-berth marina across a 4km canal.

Portrait — Philip Sather
Featured interview
Watch interview

On the Fractional Marina Director model, and why the operator's voice belongs in the room while the marina is still a drawing.

Watch interview →
OR
Senior Partner

Oliver Rees

Marina & Yacht Club Leadership
Yacht Club Pre-Opening Membership & F&B Luxury Hospitality Multi-Site GM Event Delivery GCC 20+ Years

Senior marina and luxury waterfront leader with 20+ years in the GCC. Senior Director on the pre-opening of Bvlgari Resort Dubai, launching the brand's first yacht club; GM of Jeddah Yacht Club & Marina, taking Saudi Arabia's first luxury yacht club from construction to full operation; and GM of M Marinas by Porto Montenegro across multiple UAE sites.

  • /Bvlgari — first yacht club in the Middle East
  • /Jeddah — construction to full operation
  • /Porto Montenegro — multi-site UAE GM
  • /F1, America's Cup & Red Sea Film Festival
  • /Five Gold Anchor across three operations
Portrait — Oliver Rees
OR
Partner profile
Oliver Rees

On taking Saudi Arabia's first luxury yacht club from construction site to full operation — and hosting F1 along the way.

See full profile →
Between them One waterfront view

Multiple disciplines. No marina in isolation.

01

Marina Operations

Real-world operating experience.

02

Design Advisory

Operational challenge to technical design.

03

Yacht Club Expertise

Membership, hospitality and club strategy.

04

Commercial Thinking

Pricing, revenue and destination positioning.

05

Luxury Hospitality

UHNWI service and premium guest experience.

06

Pre-Opening

From construction to operational readiness.

07

International Standards

Gold Anchor, Platinum, Superyacht Ready and environmental pathways.

08

Flexible Structure

Senior expertise deployed according to the project.

Start the conversation 48-hour response

Put an operator in the room before the design freeze

Typical first engagement: a two-week Operational Design Review of your marina and waterfront plans — fixed scope, fixed fee.

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