Thriving through Ambition

A total of 24 years and eleven round the world race editions have passed since William Ward and Sir Robin Knox-Johnston joined together to launch the first Clipper Race. The results have proved life-changing, both on a global business scale, and because of the remarkable impact the race has had on thousands of lives around the world – not least on their own

While Sir Robin Knox-Johnston takes the more visible role as Clipper Race Chairman, CEO William Ward is more comfortable staying behind the scenes, but his influence has been anything but low key. He remains in the driving seat of the business, securing the commercial success that ensures its future.

Like Sir Robin, William shares a bold appetite for extreme experiences and pushing boundaries. Whether on the race track, where he gets an adrenaline lift as a Mini racing driver, or in business, where his self-made entrepreneurial sense led him to build a successful portfolio in imports, exports and commercial property at a young age, his ambition knows no limits.

William’s 18-year-old son Andrew signed up for the very first Clipper Race. After hearing some of the passionate stories of other crew, William recognised that the Clipper Race would not only be an unbelievable experience, but also visualised its many commercial opportunities. So, shortly after first meeting Sir Robin in 1995, he invested the £1.8m required to get the first edition under way.

William explains: “When you meet people who have got something about them, you can feel that energy and strength. Sir Robin instilled in me a lot of confidence that he knew what he was doing and my first impression stands firm today.”

William and Sir Robin’s friendship, as well as their combined sailing and business knowledge, has made them a force to be reckoned with. It has provided the backbone of their continued success, enabling them to thrive where their competitors have faltered.

William says: “Not many businesses have taken on the challenge we have and come out the other side, stronger than ever. It wouldn’t have happened if we hadn’t stood shoulder-to-shoulder. We find our solutions together, we recognise one another’s strengths and, most importantly, we respect each other too."

William was duly rewarded for growing the Clipper Race brand and his achievements were recognised at the highest level in 2018, when he was awarded an OBE at Buckingham Palace for services to the economy and the GREAT Britain campaign, which showcases the best of what the UK has to offer.

Speaking about the OBE, which he received from HRH Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, William says: “As a royalist and a proud Brit, it felt quite overwhelming, but I do take enormous pride in the growth the Clipper Race has had since Robin and I first set out together. “The GREAT Britain partnership has been an example of the hundreds of different business partners and international destinations we’ve worked with over our past 24 years. It has been a fantastic journey so far, full of challenges and surprises, and one which Robin and I have taken enormous satisfaction in seeing go from strength to strength. But, as ever, it makes us want to do more.”

He adds: “The race’s values, such as courage, teamwork and human fortitude, come to life at all levels in the harsh and challenging environment of Mother Nature’s most extreme conditions. There is no greater example of everyday people overcoming adversity, and it creates an incredibly powerful place for brands to align with. Our sponsors don’t just invest money – they share our vision and their campaigns come to life far outside of the boundaries of sailing and the race track as a result.”

The race essentially becomes an 18-month PR and marketing campaign, which takes a great deal of commitment on both sides to deliver, but provides huge rewards and incredible value for money, which can’t be found anywhere else.

Continuing its aim to grow and expand its influence as it keeps its eyes on the future, Clipper Ventures recently announced the two biggest expansions in its history: the opening of its new Clipper China division, and the purchase of a leading UK sail training school.

William explains: “We are already the biggest single provider of offshore sail training in the world, having trained more than 5,000 sailors to participate in the Clipper Race over the past two decades. However, the current increasing interest in sailing in a country as large as China means it could take us just a couple of years to train the same number there.

“Closer to home, we also recently expanded our sail training offering through the purchase of Hamble School of Yachting, one of the leading sailing schools in the UK. This is part of a wider strategy to develop our offering within the offshore sailing industry and maintain ourselves as the gold standard for global sail training.”

Summing up his friendship with Sir Robin, William says: “Like the many crew who do the race and form lifelong bonds with their teammates for years to come, the same has been true of my relationship with Sir Robin. I could never have known where our first meeting in 1995 would take us, but all these years later, I’m prouder than ever of our friendship and, for me, it sets the foundations for what our race is all about.

“I joined Sir Robin to see him recreate his return to Falmouth 50 years after he made history. I was a young lad in 1968 who had no idea what impact Sir Robin and his achievement would end up having on my own life. I am incredibly grateful for his experiences, but I also know our journey is far from over yet. We have no regrets, and we still have plenty more to do together, which remains an exciting place to be, both in life and business.”