About Vela Marine

Principal-led. Independent by design.

International offshore racing experience, combined with commercial and project-delivery depth.

Founder & Principal

Ned Collier Wakefield

Ned has built, project managed and skippered technically demanding offshore racing yachts and high-performance programmes at international level. His experience spans yacht builds and development, campaign leadership, navigation, race operations and working directly with owners, designers, sailors and technical specialists.

Across Class 40, MOD70 and Gunboat 80 programmes, he has combined hands-on technical understanding with responsibility for people, preparation and performance. World records and major offshore results provide a practical understanding of what makes complex programmes reliable and competitive.

His architecture and property background adds commercial judgement, procurement discipline and experience leading complex capital projects.

“One point of accountability. The right expertise around it.”

How Vela works

Principal-led by design.

Every appointment is led personally by Ned.

Advice remains independent of contractors, suppliers and sales interests.

Specialist teams are assembled around the requirements of each project.

A conversation is often the best place to start

Discuss a marine project

Get in touch