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Sometimes the best business stories don’t start in the boardroom, but in the open water. That’s exactly what Steve and Claire Laidlaw, the entrepreneurial couple behind them, did Seven yachtsThey found themselves at the helm of one of the most successful luxury jet charter companies in Dubai.
Prior to the acquisition of Seven Yachts, the Laidlaws were established figures in the digital and lifestyle sector. But their entry into the world of luxury yachts came through a shared passion and friendship. Casper Jacobsen, the original founder of Seven Yachts, first met Steve and Claire when he started managing their private yacht, Matrix.
“At the time, we weren’t thinking about running a charter business,” recalls Steve Laidlaw, now managing director of Seven Yachts. “We were simply boaters who loved being on the water. Casper was smart, dedicated, meticulous and full of vision. Over time, our friendship grew, and I began to advise him on scaling and structuring certain aspects of his business.”
As the relationship developed, conversations naturally turned toward business. Steve, who has spent years building companies in digital media and brand strategy, began mentoring Jacobsen on the operational and strategic elements of running a growing yacht business.
“One day, the discussion turned to what the future of Seven Yachts might look like,” Steve explains. “Casper had built something great, but he also realized that to get to the next level — international expansion, brand development, digital transformation — it would need more infrastructure and investment. That’s when we started talking seriously about the idea of a partnership and, eventually, an acquisition.”
In 2024, those discussions turned into an agreement. Steve and Claire Laidlaw have officially taken over leadership of Seven Yachts, with Jacobsen remaining involved in a management capacity to ensure continuity and maintain the brand’s high service standards.
Under Laidlaus’s leadership, Seven Yachts has not only strengthened its position as a market leader in Dubai, but is now expanding into Europe, with Monte Carlo, Cannes, Antibes, Saint Tropez, San Remo and Palma de Mallorca identified as new charter destinations.
Claire Laidlaw, who oversees customer experience and luxury operations, notes that their vision has always been rooted in authenticity and service excellence:
“Our goal was never just to have a fleet,” she says. “We wanted to create experiences that people will talk about for years. Seven Yachts has always been about that feeling of luxury, freedom and adventure.”
Today, Seven Yachts offers a fleet ranging from 60-foot superyachts to 200-foot superyachts, along with unique offerings such as branded jet skis and custom event packages. The company’s growth reflects Dubai’s transformation into a global hub for luxury cruise experiences and the Laedlaws family’s talent for combining strategic vision with personal passion.
As Steve says, “Seven Yachts is more than just a company. It’s a story of trust, friendship and shared ambition. What started as an informal mentorship turned into one of the most rewarding projects of my career.”
For more information about Seven Yachts, visit SevenYachts.ae.