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. After becoming a fully trained broker he joined 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.
Bruno McGain
Bruno has been associated with boats and the River Thames since he was born. From working with his dad (a wooden boat builder) for pocket money, to then working in the industry himself. Bruno started his marine career at a young age commencing at Thames Ditton Marina in the chandlery and boat yard for over 6 years. Bruno then joined Boat Showrooms as an assistant broker, after one year he was promoted to Yacht Broker selling brokerage and new boats on the River Thames and South Coast. Bruno has many years sales experience selling boats for over 10 years at Bray Marine Sales as a Yacht Broker.
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 a lifelong connection with boating, having numerous holidays on the Thames and sailing around the Greek Islands. With her entire family engaged in the marine industry, it was natural for her to follow a similar path and she joined TBS Boats in 2017. Becky currently manages Penton Craning and handles various administrative and accounting tasks while working closely with the Managing Director.
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!
TBS Boats Hamble Staff Profiles
JAMES BARNES
James has been on or around the Hamble River all his life and is a great ambassador for the Sealine range having grown up on an F43, which he fondly remembers as the best boat his family ever owned. Having been in the Yacht Sales business since 2008 James has a wealth of knowledge previously working for Premier Yacht Sales, Anacasta International, MGM and now TBS Boats. After a sabbatical from sales where he was a Pilot Launch Coxswain James is now back on the river he knows so well, offering his vibrant and honest boating advice gleaned from 20 years as Hamble Lifeboat Crew and Coxswain and owning his own boats. Do pop into pick his brains and allow James to find you your perfect boat.
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.