Following Edmund Whelan’s retirement this month, Gus Lewis has been appointed as the RYA Legal and Government Affairs Manager. Gus (pictured left) combines several years experience as a marine lawyer with an enthusiasm for both sailing and powerboating.

In private practice, Gus acted for distributors and brokers of yachts and inland waterways craft, coastal and inland waterways marina operators, yacht charter companies, finance houses and insurers. Gus also represented private boat-owners in both non-contentious and contentious matters, including sale and purchase transactions, VAT issues and yacht registration.

Gus is a keen sailor, holding the Yachtmaster, Dinghy Instructor and Powerboat Instructor certificates, and has taken part in several offshore races (including the Fastnet Race) in addition to cruising in the English Channel, the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Prior to entering the law, Gus taught sailing both in the UK and overseas and he continues to instruct regularly on dinghies, powerboats and yachts. He is currently an active member of Weston Sailing Club, sailing an RS 200 whenever other commitments allow.

Commenting on his appointment, Gus said ‘The Legal and Government Affairs department has achieved much over the years and, having been a member of the RYA since 1994, I am looking forward to the challenge of continuing my predecessor’s work in preserving the traditional freedoms and rights long associated with boating.’