London Business School joins Clipper Race as Team and Education Partner

The LBS team yacht will set sail from Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, on 31 August for the opening stage of the race around the globe.

As a leading business school whose purpose is to have a profound impact on the way the world does business and the way business impacts the world; LBS is the first educational institution to partner with the Clipper Race.

Graham Hastie, Associate Dean, Degree Education, London Business School, says: “London Business School is delighted to be named as the Team and Education Partner for the Clipper Race – an incredible, global journey of discovery and endurance.

“As a world-class, global business school, we passionately believe in the power of new experiences and of bringing together the brightest minds to discover themselves in a different way. We’re excited to partner with Clipper Round the World Yacht Race and a crew that shares our ambition and will bring it to life in this ultimate maritime adventure.”

Bringing together strong sailing experience with his background as a business leader, professional skipper Gav Rees is the perfect match to lead Team London Business School, supported by First Mate Zoe Longley.

For Gav, from Berkhamsted, the role as Clipper Race Skipper fulfils a childhood dream. Inspired by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston’s Golden Globe Race achievements, Gav looks forward to coaching his team and inspiring his daughters.

Zoe, from Derbyshire, brings diverse experience in sail training, transatlantic deliveries, and expeditions. She is eager to merge her coaching skills with the challenges and pace of professional ocean racing.

Gav Rees says: "I am absolutely delighted for my team to be partnered with London Business School. I have combined my sailing and corporate career for over 20 years and the leadership and people skills in both fields complement each other hugely.

“One of my motivations for skippering The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is to further test and develop my leadership skills in the highly pressured race environment. I’m really excited to work with LBS and to mentor First Mate Zoe to help hone her leadership skills and enable her to make the most of the challenge ahead.”

United by the ambition to bring together diverse minds to tackle big challenges, the Clipper Race and London Business School will make a striking partnership that will visit ports around the world.

Founded by sailing legend Sir Robin Knox-Johnston in 1995, the Clipper Race is a 40,000-nautical mile circumnavigation of the globe, open to anyone regardless of previous sailing experience. Formed of ten teams racing identical 70ft yachts, non-professional Race Crew are led by a professional Skipper and First Mate. The Clipper Race makes six ocean crossings and is the only round the world sailing race to include the formidable North Pacific in its global route. Participants can choose to sail one or multiple legs of the race or take on the full, 11-month long, global route.

Addressing the London Business School team directly, Graham added:

“Our whole community is excited to follow your journey as you embark on this global ocean race. Over the next 12 months, we look forward to hearing your stories – what you discover about yourselves, and the impact you have on each other and the world around you.”

The London Business School team is now busy preparing to get underway on 31 August. Bags are being packed, tactics are being formed, and last checks are being made before the team sets sail for the opening stage of the race.

The countdown is on for Race Start festivities which start on 29 August and run through to the fleet departure on 31 August.

More about Race Start, festivities and how to watch.