Some stories begin with water. Lucy Jackson’s certainly does. Growing up on the shoreline of Southsea, she found freedom in the open horizon; a freedom that would shape her life and the creation of LV Yachting. At Hildon, we understand that connection deeply. Water can be grounding, clarifying, transformative.

LV Yachting offers premium race-charter and cruising experiences worldwide, matching clients with the perfect yacht for racing or leisure. They also provide expert boat sales services and handle all logistics, from race entries to crew coordination, ensuring a seamless, authentic sailing experience every time.

In this interview, two female-led Hampshire brands come together in a shared appreciation for purity of purpose, commitment to craft, and the beauty found in doing things exceptionally well.

You grew up in Portsmouth and now live near the water in Titchfield  has the sea always been part of your life? What drew you to it so strongly?

Growing up in Southsea, the sea has always been close to my heart. There’s a real sense of freedom in it. Being near the water has always grounded me, yet simultaneously opened up the world.

You’ve sailed over 100,000 nautical miles - do any voyages stand out as especially meaningful or transformational?

The ARC. There is something uniquely special about sailing out of sight of land and crossing an ocean. In a world of constant connectivity, it’s wonderful to disconnect and fall into the rhythm of the sea. You realise your own insignificance while admiring the raw beauty of nature and the immense power of the elements.

You studied Earth Science and Climate at Imperial. Has that environmental perspective shaped what you do now with LV Yachting?

Hand on heart, I can’t say there’s a direct link between my time at Imperial and what I do now, but life is a journey. Imperial is one of the world’s best universities-it gave me perspective and an understanding of the forces that shape our planet. I may not use that knowledge daily, but it’s banked. It was a stepping stone, giving me the skills and confidence to run my business while knowing I had something solid to fall back on.

Even my first job as a waitress taught me valuable lessons. I’ve always cared about people’s enjoyment. If someone’s going out for a nice meal, I want to give them the experience I’d hope to receive. That desire to go the extra mile has stayed with me.

From Helm to CEO

You’ve been a skipper, and now you run an international race-charter company. What made you take the leap from sailing to leading?

I’m privileged to love what I do and be passionate about what we deliver. Being a skipper gave me invaluable knowledge of the places we charter in and taught me how to run a team under pressure. I know exactly what standard of “product” I want for our clients because I once delivered it myself.

Running a boat is hard work and nonstop, so you can’t do it forever. When I decided to sell the boats, I kept an open mind. As that chapter closed, I was offered a fantastic opportunity to use my experience to place clients on other yachts, and the company has grown organically ever since. I’m now incredibly lucky to have a small, brilliant team around me who help us grow and keep challenging me.

What’s the “secret sauce” behind your racing charters? Why do people choose LV Yachting?

Authenticity and genuine care. We don’t pretend- we truly want our charterers to have the best experience possible. If anything goes wrong, I’m devastated. We’ll do everything in our control to make sure guests have a great experience so they return and recommend us to friends.

We’re highly organised and plan ahead using our experience. It’s not unusual for us to reply to clients at unsociable hours to reassure them or answer a quick question. Service is at the heart of everything.

You offer everything from Grand Prix racers to racer-cruisers. How do you help clients find the right yacht?

It comes down to their sailing experience, group size, aspirations, and budget. Often, someone writes one thing on a form, but once you speak with them, you uncover their true priorities. That conversation makes all the difference.

Race logistics can be a headache - entries, berthing, flights, crew gear. How much do you actually take off clients’ plates?

As much as they want us to. For us, many logistics are straightforward; for someone new to it, it can be overwhelming. You might know you want to race in St Tropez, and we’ve matched you with the boat - but then you face berthing, race entries, accommodation, flights, transfers, different time zones, different languages. The list is endless.

We can handle all of it, or simply advise and point clients in the right direction. It may be a huge headache for them, but we deal with these nuances every day.

Destinations & Big Events

You cover some of the world’s most exciting regattas - from the Caribbean to the Med, the UK, and the US. Do you have a favourite? Any underrated events we should know about?

It’s impossible to pick a favourite-I have incredible memories from so many regattas around the world. A lot comes down to the people you’re with. Our goal is to make the process painless so you arrive at your charter ready to create brilliant memories with friends and family, wherever you race.

What’s Next for LV Yachting

Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, what’s on the horizon? Any new boats, partnerships, or events to watch?

I’m excited for the future. I want to keep growing LV Yachting. We can’t get too comfortable -there’s always a refresh of available yachts and evolving client expectations. Staying dynamic is key.

Do you see the race-charter world changing? Any trends you’re watching?

There are always challenges: having the right boats in the right locations, ensuring owners are happy to charter their yachts when they’re not using them. It’s a delicate balance, but that’s also what keeps the industry interesting.

Balancing Business & Family

Running a global charter business involves countless moving parts. How do you stay grounded at home?

Having a good team is absolutely critical. I’ve got an amazing group around me who share the same ethos. My email footer says my working hours are 9-4,sometimes earlier, sometimes later, depending on the kids. My work gives me flexibility, but my family also understands that when something urgent comes up, I might need to jump on a call or disappear into the office.

There’s honesty in that footer, and clients appreciate it. Many have families too. If something is time-critical, I stop everything and deal with it; but I can also look at my inbox and know what can wait.

Sailing Sustainably

With your background in environmental science, does sustainability play a role in how you run LV Yachting? Any eco-friendly practices you’ve adopted or wish the racing world would embrace?

This is a moral quandary. Sailing internationally involves transatlantic flights; owners buy carbon sails. None of that is particularly green. But sailing itself connects you deeply with the ocean and the environment. When you spend that much time on the water, you can’t help but become more protective of it.

That’s why I admire companies that take environmental responsibility seriously- Hildon, for example, with its commitment to protecting natural water sources and reducing environmental impact. Those kinds of decisions matter. Small steps accumulate over time, and I’d love to see more of the racing world adopt that ethos.

At home we do what we can-like installing solar power- but the broader picture requires systemic change. Sailors, in many ways, are some of the strongest advocates for that change.

Words of Wisdom

You’re a woman leading in an industry that’s still very male-dominated. What would you say to other women aiming to lead in business?

Just do it! Be open-minded, talk to people, push yourself. Don’t do anything half-hearted- if you’re going to do something, do it properly and to the best of your ability. That ethos will carry you a long way in life.