In the commercial yachting sector, SOS Yachting excels in providing tailor made fiscal representation services. Award winning CEO, Frédéric Dormeuil, illustrates how his organisation sets new benchmarks, influencing the future of maritime excellence with unparalleled expertise and dedication.
SOS Yachting stands out as a beacon of excellence, offering a comprehensive suite of services that go beyond traditional fiscal agency and representation. With a firm foothold in key yachting hubs across Croatia, France, Monaco, recently Greece, Italy, and Spain, this specialist independent organisation has more than 12 years’ experience in providing invaluable operational guidance for commercial yachts and unparalleled fiscal expertise.
At the heart of the organisation’s success lies a deep understanding of charter operations, EU regulations, and maritime laws. This expertise grants the company a distinctive viewpoint, enabling it to anticipate and address the complex needs of its clientele with precision and efficiency. Ensuring that it remains up to date with regulatory compliances, SOS Yachting is proud of its reputation in offering customised solutions and real-time assistance to an increasing client base of more than 700 active VAT positions open across the Mediterranean.
With a wealth of experience spanning diverse industries and geographies, Frédéric Dormeuil brings a unique perspective to his role as CEO. His entrepreneurial spirit, coupled with a keen eye for emerging trends and opportunities, is propelling the organisation to the forefront of the industry, earning the company acclaim and recognition on a global stage.
Nurturing a Culture of Excellence
“A customer-centric approach combined with maintaining quality stakeholder relationships and a policy of empowering employees form the bedrock of our operations,” explains Dormeuil. “In today’s dynamic business landscape, listening to and learning from customers are imperative traits needed for sustained success. At SOS Yachting, we understand that each interaction with a client is an opportunity to glean insights, refine our services, and innovate for the future. With the intricate world of commercial yachting as our backdrop, it’s also vital to be able to connect with our varying stakeholders of diverse nationalities and backgrounds. This means forging strong bonds from the get-go to ensure transparency and trust while cultivating a shared sense of purpose and commitment to ease superyacht commercialisation.”
Contrary to popular belief, leadership is about empowering others to shine,” Dormeuil continues. “As CEO of SOS Yachting, I firmly believe in nurturing a culture where every employee feels valued, inspired, and liberated to contribute their best. As the company grows, our approach hinges on strong internal communication, open forums, constructive feedback, and a collective commitment to learning and helping others. By providing the support and encouragement for our team to thrive, we harness their creativity and expertise to deliver excellence in all that we do.”
Charting a New Course – Transitioning to the Commercial Maritime Industry
Dormeuil’s professional journey is rooted in a deep understanding of luxury and craftsmanship. With experience that stretches from the welding of diggers to cultivating the finest of watch enthusiasts, Frédéric, who is also heir to the prestigious Dormeuil family renowned for their luxury fabric empire inherited a legacy of quality, craftsmanship, and attention to detail. This foundation instilled in him a profound appreciation for the finer things in life and a commitment to delivering nothing short of excellence.
Upon his return to Europe in 2018, his ambitions extended beyond the world of luxury goods, eventually leading him to chart a new course in the yachting industry. Armed with a passion for the sea and a keen business acumen, Dormeuil embarked on a journey to indulge his expertise in the yachting sector. His transition from high-end retail to yachting was pure coincidence following a luncheon in London with good friend Patrick Coote who teased him to help launch the much missed ‘The Superyacht Show’. Now, at the helm of SOS Yachting, Dormeuil brings something new to the table – a fresh perspective informed by a commitment to push boundaries.
“Drawing upon insights from diverse cultures and markets enables us to identify new opportunities and adapt to changing dynamics,” he states. “This global perspective is instrumental in driving our strategic decision-making, especially in a business that is predominantly lead by legislation.”
Comprehensive Fiscal Representation Services
The scope of SOS Yachting’s services has maintained a core focus on VAT representation for superyacht charter in the Mediterranean; essential for the smooth operation of luxury yachts wishing to commercialise in its waters. From meticulous VAT compliance to seamless optimisation strategies, SOS Yachting provides comprehensive solutions designed to alleviate the administrative burden and ensure compliance within the regulatory framework.
One of SOS Yachting’s core services involves preparing the yacht (owning company) to conduct business in their preferred waters. SOS Yachting specialises in setting up the VAT position for the owning company and thereafter managing all VAT matters related to every charter the yacht(s) undertakes. With intricate VAT regulations varying from one jurisdiction to another, navigating the complexities of VAT compliance is for some an overwhelming task. Here, SOS Yachting’s experienced professionals possess an in-depth understanding of VAT laws and regulations, enabling them to effectively manage VAT obligations and mitigate potential risks for clients. By staying abreast of changes in VAT legislation and leveraging their expertise, the organisation ensures that clients remain compliant.
Expanding Horizons – Strategic Growth
Looking ahead, Frédéric Dormeuil and SOS Yachting are not content with resting on their laurels. Instead, they are poised to embark on a journey of continuous innovation and growth within the yachting industry. With a forward-thinking mindset and a commitment to excellence, Dormeuil’s visionary leadership will be instrumental in shaping the future landscape of fiscal maritime services.
As the demand for luxury yachting experiences continues to grow on a global scale and with countries grasping the benefits of VAT, Dormeuil sees potential in expanding SOS Yachting’s offering and presence across new markets and territories to further support its existing client base and welcome new ones. By strategically monitoring legislation and positioning the company to be “at the ready” in emerging sectors, Dormeuil aims to tap into new opportunities and cater to the evolving needs of a diverse clientele. Often asked if SOS Yachting will be opening offices in regions of VAT newness, Dormeuil replies with caution and advises that unlike his days in retail, every office must have a strong business purpose and cannot solely exist as a marketing spend. By prioritising the human element and remaining adept in embracing change, Dormeuil’s leadership will continue to serve as a guiding light, driving modernisation and collaboration to propel SOS Yachting to even greater heights of success.
SOS Yachting offers operational guidance for commercial yachts and fiscal expertise from key yachting hubs located in Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Monaco and Spain. For further information on the comprehensive range of services offered together with industry news, webinars and attendance at industry exhibitions, please visit the company website at https://www.sosyachting.com
