Organisers of Cowes Week are delighted to announce the appointment of Phil Hagen as Regatta Director. Phil takes the reins from Stuart Quarrie, who retired following this year’s regatta in August.
Phil is no stranger to Cowes Week, having started as a course setter 11 years ago. After four years he progressed to Course-Setting Coordinator, responsible for the planning and management of the course setting and race progress teams. Phil is an experienced yacht racer and has competed in many European events in a wide range of yachts including helming in the 6 metre and Farr 45 classes and race navigation on a 135ft Classic. Phil is also a qualified race officer and has run a number of national championships in the Solent. In 1998, as Project Director, he was responsible for the planning, PR and operational delivery of the Cable & Wireless Adventurer, a successful round the world record attempt by a motor vessel. The success and record of 72 days still hold today.
Professionally, Phil brings significant national and international senior executive experience from a highly successful career in the technology sector. Originating from a sales and marketing background, Phil progressed to Managing Director of one of Cable & Wireless plc global businesses.
Commenting on his appointment, Phil said: “This is very much a lifestyle change for me, but it is a very rare thing to have the opportunity to have a job that is also your passion. My new role for Cowes Week is exactly that and I am very excited to have the chance of combining my past Cowes Week and career experiences to focus on delivering a rewarding and enjoyable experience to our competitors and sponsors.”
Chairman of Cowes Week Limited (CWL), Peter Dickson, added: “We’re delighted to welcome Phil to the team and look forward to working with him to continue the great work of evolving the regatta. We have an exciting year ahead and Phil is joining at just the right time for Cowes and for the regatta.”
Phil will join the team in early October and replaces Stuart Quarrie who, after seventeen years with CWL, has departed to spend more time racing and cruising with his family.