• The eco-friendly electric boat company has hired Emily Sherwood as Head of Marketing, and Steve Illidge as Head of Operations
• Hires come following GoBoat’s expansion into Birmingham’s Brindleyplace earlier this year

Eco-friendly electric boat company GoBoat has announced the hire of Emily Sherwood and Steve Illidge as Head of Marketing and Head of Operations respectively as the brand expands its UK presence.

The two new senior hires share a wealth of experience within their respective industries, with Emily Sherwood joining GoBoat after more than five years within Madame Tussauds London’s marketing team. Prior to her time at Madame Tussauds London, Sherwood was part of the Marketing and PR team at Merlin Entertainments, with her role seeing her deliver comms and stunts across the entertainment juggernaut’s five London attractions.

Steve Illidge joins the GoBoat team after his time in commercial boat operations at specialist waterway contractor The Rothen Group. Prior to his role at The Rothen Group, Illidge trained on the Birmingham waterways, operating as a helmsman on its canals. In addition to these roles, Illidge comes with seven years’ experience in hospitality, having previously run his own award-wining multi-site pub business.

GoBoat’s two new senior hires join following the brand’s expansion onto Birmingham’s waterways earlier this year, as it prepares for future sites across the nation over the coming years.

Both Sherwood and Illidge will report into GoBoat’s co-founder, Grant Sweeney.

On her hire, Emily Sherwood said: 

“After two years of lockdowns I, like many others, found myself looking for new and exciting ways to spend time with friends and family. Having worked for many years at some of London’s most iconic attractions, I wanted to bring my expertise to a brand that offered something unique for Brits.

“The UK’s beautiful waterways can quite literally transport you away from the daily grind and getting more people to experience this for themselves is a hugely motivating challenge for me. I’m really thrilled to be part of the GoBoat team and excited to be a driving force behind the company’s continued growth.”

Steve Illidge added: “As a Brummie, I have a deep-rooted passion for the canal network – not only due to my previous role as a helmsman but also from having spent several years living on a narrowboat. Joining the GoBoat team is the perfect move, combining my boating expertise with my experience in hospitality. 

“There’s a huge emphasis on sustainability at the company, which is undeniably important in today’s climate. Taking GoBoat to more cities across the UK and educating people on boating practices that respect the local environment is an operational challenge that I can’t wait to get started on.”

Grant Sweeney, co-founder, at GoBoat, said: “It’s an incredibly exciting time for the brand as we plan out our future. We’re helping even more Brits get out on the water, so that everyone has a chance to feel the benefits to their mental wellbeing as well as trying something new. 

“Both Emily and Steve have a wealth of knowledge and expertise that will play a crucial role in the continued success of GoBoat.”