Margaret Whittaker, who acquired Pearl Yachts almost 22 years in the past, died on February 2 in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. She was 76 years outdated.
Though particulars of her adolescence are unknown, Whittaker was an energetic entrepreneur. For example, she based Slimming World, a weight-loss program providing healthy-eating plans and help teams, in 1969. She remained the pinnacle of the corporate till her passing, too. Moreover, she took over Son Amar, certainly one of Palma de Mallorca’s most well-known nightspots, in 2007, main it to a revitalization that features reveals and large-scale occasions.
Whittaker’s introduction to Pearl Yachts got here in 2003. She and her late husband Tony Whittaker (who died in 2021) totally loved motoryachts and the cruising way of life. The chance to take over Pearl Yachts from its co-founder, Iain Smallridge, arose. Although Smallridge remained—and nonetheless stays—as managing director, Whittaker is very credited with serving to Pearl Yachts increase its attain. Particularly, the shipyard went from designing and constructing aft-cabin motoryachts for British clientele to creating glossy flying-bridge yachts for Mediterranean-based consumers. It additional included broadening into megayacht territory. Although the newest megayacht mannequin is the Pearl 82 yacht (under), the shipyard launched its largest, the Pearl 95 yacht, in 2018. All of the whereas, gross sales in the USA and different worldwide markets have continued to develop.
Whittaker acquired quite a few accolades throughout her profession. In 2022, she acquired a Norns Award because the Enterprise Lady within the Yachting Trade. The Norns Awards acknowledge professionals in all kinds of industries for his or her contributions. Only one yr later, in the meantime, Whittaker turned an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). This award goes to people who’ve made a major contribution to their neighborhood or gained a nationwide profile. Whittaker was honored for her charitable work.
Pearl Yachts’ Smallridge and the board of administrators issued a press release expressing condolences to Whittaker’s household.
Pearl Yachts pearlyachts.com
