Tim Kershaw has the enviable job of Client Strategy Manager in the global super yacht industry and finds himself regularly in places like Miami, Monaco and the south of France. 

“I currently live a somewhat nomadic lifestyle, bouncing around Europe, not staying in one place for more than six weeks”. 

Tim’s life seems far removed from provincial Hawke’s Bay where he grew up: “Both my job and my personal life dictate that I am regularly on the move. It is a life of real contrast, spending my personal time in the likes of beachside campsites but my professional life in the super yacht industry.” 

Life after Lindisfarne took Tim to Otago and Canterbury Universities where he completed a B.Law and a B.Com with a marketing major. A gap year working on super yachts opened up new horizons and despite a job offer from Russell McVeigh, Tim opted to stay overseas. Overcoming sea sickness and lack of experience, he travelled the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, the Bahamas and the US coastline on super yachts and attended, and later taught at, a surf school in the south of France. 

A serendipitous meeting with the world’s leading super yacht photographer and film director resulted in a job in London working in all areas of media and marketing for super yachts. Tim now freelances for the same company but no longer lives in London: “For the last year and a half, I have moved around a lot, seeing as much of Europe as I can while working from my laptop. My main roles are as a film producer and marketing strategist for the global super yacht industry. I manage and advise on many different digital initiatives as well as give company-wide advice. Working in media production and marketing means you are constantly in a creative atmosphere. I love the dynamic thinking and the team environment that film production relies on. I also enjoy the travelling side of my job and discovering new places. I meet interesting people in my job and regularly work with clients and suppliers from all over the world. 

Although his current international career seems very different from his school days, Tim traces much of his success back to those early days: “I try to live by two ideals; work hard and treat people well. I think these two things are actually the key to my success and this all started at Lindisfarne as these are two qualities instilled in all Lindisfarne students. My teachers, like Mr Barry and Mr Gilbert taught me far more than the subjects in their classes. Their wider lessons are what benefited me the most in the real world. Being Head Prefect at Lindisfarne was one of my proudest achievements as were my two degrees. Bizarrely I am also proud of having turned my back on a law career. Not because it’s not a great career but because I had the insight to see that it wouldn’t be right for me.” 

Tim’s memories of the first XV are particularly special: “Apart from the front row and Israel Dagg, we were a team of skinny kids who regularly punched above our weight. We could do this because our team environment was strong which was largely thanks to Mr Gilbert. My time in the first XV had a big impact on me and has helped me get the most out of team environments since leaving school. The boarding house and the sense of camaraderie amongst the boarders is another strong memory. Tim could not disclose details of all the highlights in order to protect the innocent, and the not so innocent, but extramural mining activities in Mitchell developed an unexpected set of skills in many of the boys! 

Tim is still in touch with many of his contemporaries from Lindisfarne and visits several of his old teachers when back in the Bay. He has some good advice for current students:  

“Be hungry, in every sense! Learn what you can, see what you can, talk to interesting people. At Lindisfarne you have so many opportunities in front of you. Grab them! When you leave Lindisfarne there will be opportunities you didn’t even know existed but they aren’t there waiting for you like they are at school. You have to fight for them more. 

Spend some time working out what you want to do with your life. You are young and there is no hurry! So, get out there and experience as much as you can before you choose your career path. 

Work on your mental health as well as your physical health. This is not something we men are good at. I strongly encourage practices like meditation. 

Above all, back yourself and never let the fear of failure stop you from trying something!”