The Management

Eric Pilling - General Manager

Eric has had  a distinguished international business career. Beyond his corporate achievements, Eric's heart beats for the development of New Zealand's youth. His passion lies in connecting with youth to create life-changing experiences. Eric is driven by values aligned with fostering excitement, boldness, and a commitment to building a better future for our youth. 

He firmly believes that, now more than ever, our young generation needs investments in platforms and programs to inspire and empower them in shaping a brighter tomorrow.

The Board of Trustees

Tony Stevenson – Chairperson
Tony has spent many years competing and working on race yachts within the international superyacht industry . Tony is recognised for his passionate support of NZ’s maritime heritage and promotion of numerous heritage regattas and events. His extensive strategic, business and fund-raising networks play a key role in ensuring the ongoing financial sustainability of the Trust.

William Goodfellow – Board Trustee
William has sailed all of his life and has an enthusiasm for sharing this passion. As Managing Director of Explore Group, he is at the forefront of the development of NZ’s experiential and marine based tourism.  Recognised and awarded nationally, he plays a key role in ensuring the many supporters understand the activities of the Trust and that the yachts are well managed.

Graeme Wilson – Board Trustee
Graeme has enjoyed a successful business career across a range of industries and disciplines. Today he maintains a number of business interests in Australia and NZ. After a childhood of sailing on the Manukau Harbour and Hauraki Gulf, Graeme has continued his interest in NZ waters through owning and completing a major restoration of the 1935 Classic Motor Yacht Lady Gay.

Mark Orams – Board Trustee
Professor Mark Orams JP, PhD, MSc, BRP (Hons), is a successful ocean racing yachtsman, adventurer, scientist, author and marine conservation advocate. He is a proud New Zealander and is involved in governance and leadership of a range of organisations dedicated to conservation and environmental restoration. He is currently a professor at the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) and it’s Head of School, Sport and Recreation as well as Associate Dean, for the AUT Millennium campus.

Peter Mence – Board Trustee
Peter has a passion for the restoration and use of New Zealand’s enviable fleet of classic vessels and is the current chairman of the Classic Yacht Association. With his wife, he owns and sails a K class keeler and is restoring a 1933 motor launch. Peter is the CEO of Argosy Property, current president of the Property Council of New Zealand, and a board member of the Massey University Property Foundation.

Peter Montgomery - Patron
As New Zealand yachting has sailed the waves of unprecedented popularity in recent years it has been the distinctive voice and style of Peter Montgomery that has done more to increase the public perception of sailing in New Zealand than any other individual. He is stirred by the elements and by the intensity of competition.  The Trust is honoured to have Peter Montgomery’s support.

Bianca Cook - Ambassador
Bianca grew up sailing on the Waitemata Harbour with the Hauraki Gulf as the perfect playground. She started out in dinghies but quickly found a love for sailing on New Zealand’s Heritage Classic Sailing Yachts, progressing into the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron Youth Training programme and club keelboat racing.  With experience in match racing, club racing and a desire to sail around the world Bianca found herself working on superyachts, Endeavour the J-class being her first boat she crossed the Atlantic Ocean on. A wealth of knowledge and significant experience offshore on large boats accumulating over 70,000 of offshore miles and a dream to compete in the Volvo Ocean race saw her be selected for the team Turn the Tide on Plastic, the first team in the history of the race to be a 50/50 team, 50% women and 50% male.
”Sailing around in the world in the Volvo Ocean Race was the greatest challenge of my life.”

Sir Peter Blake competed in the Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race the year Bianca was born. Bianca’s father a well known boat builder was involved in the original construction of Lion New Zealand and Steinlager 2 and his company Yachting Developments has been heavily involved with the restoration of both of these projects. Sir Peter Blake and his crew on board Steinlager 2 have been strong role models in her sailing career and all sailors aspire to do what they have done.

Bianca is also a strong advocate for sustainability, which is extremely important to her.  She has seen first hand the effects that we as global citizens are having on our oceans. Ocean health is critical to maintain the balance of the natural environment and every single one of us has a part to play in cleaning up our backyard, our playground. ”It’s an absolute honour to be involved with the NZ Sailing trust to inspire young people to get involved with sailing.”