Career

YP Loke grew up surrounded by ships, boats and all things nautical for as long as he can remember. As a child he clambered aboard boats moored along Jalan Benaan Kapal where the family operated a small shipyard on the banks of the Kallang River. The first eight years of his working life was with Keppel Corporation, a Singapore-listed conglomerate with extensive interests ranging from shipbuilding and repairing, to property development.

In 1991 YP switched to the recreational side of the marine industry as General Manager of Raffles Marina, a premier marina and yacht club in Singapore. This move was driven by a love for sailing and an earlier foray into the hospitality & service industry - YP was at one time a franchisee of the Burger King Corporation.

Under his leadership, Raffles Marina has received international recognition, both by users and the marine industry. In a marina grading scheme (similar to the 'star' ratings system for hotels) administered by the UK-based Yacht Harbour Association, Raffles Marina received the prestigious 5-Gold Anchor Award, it's highest achievable accolade.

YP relinquished the post of General Manager in 1998 to start his own business providing management services and business consulting for the marine industry. His newly formed company, Spinnaker International Pte Ltd, continues to play a consulting role with Raffles Marina and he remains its Honorary Secretary on the General Committee.

Speaking & Writing Engagements

YP is a keen industry observer and occasional writer. His ramblings have featured in Marina International, and Marina World, leading trade publications for the marina industry. He was a speaker at the Australian National Marina Conference '98 and more recently, at the ICOMIA (International Council of Marine Industry Associations) organised International Marina Conference '99 in Fort Lauderdale, USA. He is a member of the International Boating Facilities Committee (IBFC), ICOMIA's technical working committee on marinas.

On the home front

YP was Honorary Treasurer of the Singapore Yachting Association (now known as the Singapore Sailing Federation) and chaired it's Sixth Singapore Straits Regatta in 1999. He was Vice-President of the Club Managers' Association, Singapore (CMAS) at the time of it's founding. He is Honorary Secretary to the Singapore Sea Sports Liaison Committee (SSSLC) and the Singapore Reef and Marine Conservation Committee (SRMCC). At present he is involved in pioneering work with the Singapore Tourism Board and other interest groups to thematically position the region as a cruising destination with Singapore as it's preferred gateway.

Education

YP Loke majored in Naval Architecture at the Southampton Institute, UK, and is a Member of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, Singapore (SNAME). He also holds a MBA from the Cranfield School of Management, England.

Affiliations
Spinnaker International or it's principal, YP Loke, is serving, or has served, the following organisations on a voluntary or honorary basis: