Henri-Lloyd has become the Official Clothing Partner to The Andrew Simpson Foundation supporting its centres, yachting programmes and performance academy.
The three-year partnership will see all the shore and water-based team at The Foundation equipped with technical marine apparel. The partnership reinforces Henri-Lloyd’s long-standing commitment to supporting grassroots sailing and those delivering instruction to the next generation of sailors.
As well as ensuring those on the water have the highest level of comfort and protection from Henri-Lloyd’s technical marine apparel, Henri-Lloyd clothing branded with The Andrew Simpson Foundation logo will be worn when on shore, at events, and when representing The Foundation.
Wider support from Henri-Lloyd includes sign up codes for beneficial pricing for anyone participating in courses run by The Andrew Simpson Foundation. The latest Henri-Lloyd performance outerwear will be available for use by attendees sailing the Foundation’s Jeanneau 38.9 training yacht, based in Gosport. Other support includes product for competition prizes and raffles, as well as joint marketing campaigns, storytelling content and awareness initiatives designed to help introduce more people to sailing and watersports.
Founded in memory of Olympic sailor Andrew Simpson, The Andrew Simpson Foundation has become one of the UK’s leading charities committed to increasing participation in sailing and watersports. Since its inception in 2013, The Foundation has helped more than 250,000 people access the water through its sailing initiatives and community out-reach programmes. The Foundation now operates throughout the UK with six not-for-profit sailing centres and 16 partner centres, as well as a wider network of schools, youth services, faith groups, and the Royal Naval community. The Foundation also operates internationally, supporting young people in countries such as Morocco and through global initiatives including the annual worldwide sailing event Bart’s Bash.
With over £20m invested directly into coastal and waterside communities, The Andrew Simpson Foundation focuses on four strategic pillars which includes projects designed to increase access to sailing and watersports, developing skills and personal pathways, building connected communities and championing environmental engagement. More than 57,000 people have directly benefitted from The Andrew Simpson Foundation programmes, with participation growing by around 20% year on year.
Rob Clark, Chief Operations Officer at The Andrew Simpson Foundation said: “Henri-Lloyd is the perfect fit for us. We provide structured pathways that extend beyond recreational sailing into education, instructor training and employment opportunities. Henri-Lloyd shares that ambition to increase watersports participation. We really like the ethos reflected by their brand ambassadors which mirror our strategic pillars, which include looking after the environment, creating communities, and building confidence, life skills and employment opportunities through adventure and activity on the water.”
As well as providing support with its marine apparel, Henri-Lloyd and The Andrew Simpson Foundation will work together to collaborate on increasing participation through community sailing initiatives, outreach programmes, awareness-building and fund-raising.
Ross Partridge, Corporate Sales Manager at Henri-Lloyd said the company has always had a supportive relationship with The Andrew Simpson Foundation through its Co-Founder and Trustee Sir Ben Ainslie. “We’ve been involved since the very start of The Foundation, as part of our long-standing commitment to supporting grass roots sailing. This new formalised partnership offers a host of tangible benefits for participants, coaches, instructors, staff and volunteers, enabling them to embody a higher level of professionalism through having the very best in performance, technical apparel. By becoming the Official Clothing partner for the next three years, we can help the Foundation scale its activities, enabling more people to get on the water, regardless of background, geography or financial circumstance.”
