Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding has announced a new management team as founder Dave Cockwell steps back from the business, which is marking its 30th anniversary.
Henry Ward, Jack Carr and Tim Tregear will form the new management team, supported by majority shareholder Pendennis Group.
Ward, previously design director, now heads design and sales, while Carr, former
exterior outfit manager, now leads Duchy Motor Launches and Hardy Motor Yachts. Tregear continues to head custom projects.
The anniversary celebrations brought a flotilla of Cockwells-built vessels to the Carrick Roads in Falmouth on 10 October 2026. Guests followed aboard The Duchess of Cornwall, the wooden Falmouth-to-St Mawes ferry built for the Fal River Company.
Taking part were two Duchy 27s, Duchess and Kariba Blue, and five Duchy 35s: Betty, Delilah, Flying Squirrel, Isolde and Ornella. Keeper, the Duchy 45 that recently made its world debut at the Southampton International Boat Show, also joined the fleet.
Custom boats included The Nare Hotel’s 38ft motor launch Alice Rose, the 39ft yacht Ocean Fugue and a limousine tender built for Yntegra Group, developer of Rosewood Exuma in the Bahamas.
Employees and their families joined Pendennis board members, Falmouth mayor Cllr Alan Jewell, boat owners and clients with boats under construction. Celebrations continued at National Maritime Museum Cornwall.
Pendennis Group commercial director Stephen Hills says: “We are delighted to be involved with Cockwells and celebrate the team who design and build such fantastic boats – from award-winning Duchy Motor Launches and seafaring Hardy Motor Yachts to spectacular superyacht tenders that propel custom-built on-the-water luxury to the highest level.
“We are also here to raise our glasses to Dave Cockwell, the company’s eponymous founder, who, through his passionate advocacy of traditional boatbuilding skills, pioneering technical expertise and sheer hard work, has created a heritage brand that is recognised internationally for its craftsmanship, seakeeping and style.
‘A new team at the helm’
“Following Dave’s decision to step back from the business, we look forward to working with a new team at the helm who will navigate Cockwells to its next stage of success.”
“We thank everyone who has contributed to Cockwells’ 30 years of excellence and are excited about what the future holds for the distinguished brand that Dave and Jo have created, during the next 30 years and beyond,” says Hills on behalf of the new management team.
“We also express profound gratitude to all the staff, past and present, whose dedication and skill have contributed to the company’s success; to leading naval architect Andrew Wolstenholme with whom we have collaborated on so many of our sought-after designs, to the boat owners who participated in, or loaned their vessels for, today’s event; to Jo [Cockwell, Dave’s wife] for organising this special occasion; and to our colleagues at Pendennis for their continued support.
“Following strong interest at this year’s boat shows, we look forward to building on Cockwells’ reputation as an industry leader whilst pushing the boundaries of the possible as technologies further develop and new markets emerge.”
Based at Mylor Creek Boatyard near Falmouth, Cockwells employs 130 staff and builds a Duchy range spanning 25ft to 60ft. It acquired Hardy Marine’s assets in 2020 and continues building yachts to original specifications alongside revised designs. Its Mylor headquarters and acquisition of The Southwest Shipyard at Ponsharden provide space for larger builds and boatyard services.
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