
STAFF PROFILES
Find out more about the staff at Penton Hook and Hamble
TBS Boats Penton Hook Staff Profiles
Chris Manners
Chris started boating at the age of 4 with his family and has cruised most of Europe. After leaving school at 18, he worked in the hotel industry until starting as a trainee broker on the River Medway. Leaving 4 years later as Marina Manager, Chris joined Shepperton Marina on the Thames as Sales Manager for 4 years until he formed Penton Hook Marine Sales (now TBS Boats) in 1998. The company sold their 2,300th boat at the end of 2022. Chris is a qualified Yachtmaster offshore and continues to enjoy boating both on the inland waterways and at sea.
Darren Shead
Darren has been boating from early age and started his working career at the age of 16 in a chandlery. He soon realised that he loved the marine industry and moved into boat sales as assistant in 1996; joining TBS Boats Penton Hook in 2000. Darren specialises in the sale of our brokerage boats with a wealth of experience in the sports boat market. Darren likes to kayak and paddleboard down the Thames or cycle along the riverside, so if you hear a friendly hello, you'll know who it is!!
Russell Pyke
Russell started boating at the age of 11, spending time with friends on the Thames at Teddington. After attending college studying for an engineering diploma, he got his first job working at the local chandlery where his duties also included boat and engine repairs and looking after the marina. In 2001 he started his first job selling boats on the Thames initially selling brokerage boats and then moving onto new boat sales as well. During his time selling boats he specialised in Dutch steel and trawler yachts before moving on to sports cruisers. He has owned a Freeman 24 that he spent many years bringing back to its former glory.
Tim Walker
Tim's connection to the water started many years ago with sailing and kayaking at Thames Young Mariners in Ham. He has enjoyed boating around the coast of Cornwall and in the Solent but is always drawn back to the wonderful Thames and the huge amount it has to offer. He owns his own classic Dutch Steel cruiser and uses her regularly regardless of the weather! After a decade working in the motor industry selling cars, Tim decided a change of scenery was in order so he can deal with what he enjoys on a daily basis.
Sue Howell
After spending many years in the engineering industry as a CAD draughts person, Sue is now enjoying the much more pleasant environment of the marina. Joining TBS Boats Penton Hook in 2009, Sue is responsible for office administration, accounting, finance and supporting the Managing Director & sales team. In the 1980s and 90s Sue spent most of her weekends and holidays sailing around the Solent and across the English Channel, even participating in several Round The Island Races. She now prefers enjoying the water in a more leisurely fashion usually with a gin and tonic in hand!
Becky Manners
Becky has grown up around boats and has had many happy holidays afloat, both on the Thames and a Flotilla Holiday around the Greek Islands. All of Becky's family are involved in the marine industry so she therefore decided to follow in their footsteps and joined TBS Boats Penton Hook in 2017. Becky can be found in the office ensuring the smooth running of sales administration and social media.
Davina Manners
Davina has over 35 years' experience working within Human Resources across a number of industries and provides support across the business for sales, HR and training matters; having the additional benefit of working within the marine industry for over 15 years. Davina has enjoyed boating for many years along the River Thames but she specifically loves her sailing holidays in Greece!
Harry Snowball
Harry has recently joined the team at TBS Boats Penton Hook and has grown up on and around boats. He has enjoyed many family holidays afloat on the River Thames and decided that he would like to gain experience working in the marine industry. In his spare time he enjoys paddle boarding, surfing and drumming.
TBS Boats Hamble Staff Profiles
WILL LYNCH
Will started working at sea at the age of 19, where he completed a cadetship to become a deck officer with Carnival UK. Upon completing his three years of training he obtained his OOW unlimited and was promoted to Third Officer. After obtaining the necessary amount of sea-time he achieved his Chief-mates unlimited ticket and was promoted. He then moved across to super-yachts to continue his career as a navigator at sea, before moving to Australia to work in the business section of a yacht maintenance yard in Sydney. Through his experience from working at sea and in Sydney he has decided to pursue a career as a yacht broker.
cassie davies
Cassie has joined the TBS Hamble team in the role of part time administrator. With 15 years of hospitality experience, she strives to deliver the highest quality of customer service whilst organising and supporting the day to day running of the office. When she's not at work, you can usually find her spending time with her young son or out and about on the Solent with her partner in their RIB.