German builder HanseYachts has appointed a new executive team and confirmed two world premieres for the Cannes Yachting Festival in September, as the company pushes for international growth following financial stabilisation.
Holger Passauer, appointed sole managing director in December 2025, now leads the company alongside a newly constituted supervisory board chaired by Dr Hans Reichhart, former Bavarian State Minister for Housing, Construction and Transport.
Maxim Neumann, who has spent decades with HanseYachts, becomes Chief Sales Officer, retaining his ties to the international dealer network built up over that time. Franz Zeiser joins as Chief Technology Officer with production leadership experience at major international yards. Passauer said securing Zeiser was important for the company’s product development plans.
The Cannes premieres centre on the Hanse 461, a Berret-Racoupeau design that evolves the 460 formula with self-tacking jib, centralised sail controls from the helm, and a beach club layout. The FJORD 440 Open brings a reversible electric transom bench, 55-inch TV integrated into the T-top, and power options to 960hp.
Neumann said the new structure pairs long-serving HanseYachts staff with newly appointed outside hires. The company said it also plans to increase its use of artificial intelligence in product development, without detailing specific applications.
HanseYachts said it had recorded growth in orders, revenue and earnings, and credited on-time deliveries to staff at its two production sites.
