Meet The Team

Stuart Line Cruises are proud to be one of the best visitor attractions in the South West and this reputation is largely due to the fantastic team who run the operation! We are a small and friendly team here at Stuart Line HQ and pride ourselves on personalised and attentive customer service, making for a consistently high-quality experience, throughout the year.

So, here are the faces behind what makes Stuart Line Cruises the best boat trip in Devon!

Philippa

Position: Second generation of the Stuart family business - co-owner of Stuart Line Cruises, alongside her son, Jake. Full-time mother hen, chief ticket sales officer, meticulous cleaner and all-round Queen of the Booking Office!

Years in the Business: Almost since the beginning! Philippa entered the scene to work alongside her husband, Ian Stuart (RIP), running boat trips from Exmouth Seafront and generally keeping things on track. Philippa has witnessed and played a huge role in the evolution of the business from something reasonably basic, into one of Devon's Top Attractions, as we are so proud to be known today.

Favourite Cruise: Exeter Canal Cruise - this was always Ian and Philippa's favourite although if you ever get the chance, ask her about a one-off special cruise which her and Ian ran for the solar eclipse many years ago!
Fun Fact: A master at inflicting coffee addition on her fellow land-based colleagues.

Favourite catchphrase: "whatever that's there" - if you know, you know! There also is not much that Philippa does not know - if you need to know anything Stuart Line-related, it's generally right at the tip of her tongue!

Good Traits: The hardest working woman imaginable with the kindest heart. Nothing is ever too much, and she'd do anything for anyone.

Captain Jake!

Position: Third generation of the Stuart family business - Owner and Managing Director of Stuart Line Cruises. Full time Boat Master, ad-hoc engineer, meticulous cleaner and chief toilet unblocker!

Years in the business: Well, that would be telling but let's just say, he has been driving boats since he was tall enough to see over the wheel (stood on chairs) and the business has been his love for his whole life!

Favourite Cruise: "That's an impossible question. They are all wonderful and all so different!" (He would say that because he invented most of them)!

Fun Fact: Loves wheelhouse coffee deliveries but absolutely not after 12noon, at which point it has got to be tea. Partial to a hot choc as a special treat.

Good Traits: Most committed person we know, passionate about the business, reliable/fiercely loyal and would do anything to help someone in a spot of bother!

Richard

Jules

Position: Part-Time Booking Clerk

Joined the Business: Julie joined the team in May 2022 and with her background in tourism we were pleased to have her on board. Previously working for Thomas Cook and within the hotel sector.

Favourite Cruise: Having just recently organised a group outing with her local choir club, Julie's favourite cruise has to be our Day Trip to Torquay and Brixham.

Fun Fact: When she is not busy updating the boarding lists or sorting our pasty tokens! Julie's passion is attending Rock Choir which has lead to some great opportunities and gigs, singing at Proms in the Park in a flash mob style and recording songs at Abbey Road Studios with Rock Choir. She also enjoys travelling in her spare time and walks along the beach with her family and dog!

Good Traits: Julie is one of the most caring people you will meet and definitely one to go to if you have any problems. She is reliable, hard-working and happy to help in all aspects of the business. It is a great pleasure to work with Julie and if you ever passing the office make sure to say hello to her

Captain Izak!

Position: Full time Boat Crew, ad-hoc engineer, all-round maintenance man and qualified Boat Master. Izak is a highly competent Crew and we are very much looking forward to training him to Skipper some more cruises this summer! Aye-aye, cap'ain!

Years in the Business: 3 years! Izak has a strong boating background, having worked as a fisherman in his home country of South Africa for many years!

Favourite Cruise: Any of them, as long as Devon Cream Teas are involved.

Fun Fact: Izak loves a Devon Cream Tea, the Stuart Line way - large scones, lashings of clotted cream and oodles of strawberry jam and I quote "I will never get sick of these things". Izak is also bilingual, speaking fluent Portuguese and is an excellent chef - master of a mean platter of sushi!

Good Traits: A family man with a heart of gold. Izak is one of the most committed workers you'll ever meet, willing to turn his hand to just about anything and loves talking to our passengers - he's funny and will probably make you laugh!

Lauren

Position: Do you want to speak to the man in charge or the lady who knows what's going on?! Lauren works on the boats as Crew on occasion but her main role is on land in the Booking Office. If you were to ask her what her role is, she’d probably respond with “jack of all trades, master of none!”. Lauren is a passionate advocate for tourism and leisure in East Devon with a special interest in group travel, attending numerous global travel trade markets, conferences, workshops and exhibitions annually. She loves nothing more than introducing Stuart Line Cruises to new people and flying the flag for Devon both nationally and internationally.

Years in the Business: Does being Jake’s partner count as a full-time job? If yes, around 13 but if no, she has been working with the Stuart Line team for about 8!

Favourite Cruise: Summer Air Show Cruises - they are always the best day out and hold some of my fondest memories of being part of the Stuart Line family.

Fun Fact: A rarity to not find Lauren engrossed in something Stuart Line but on occasion you can find her at the park run on a Saturday, grabbing a coffee at Hangtime or enjoying what our wonderful part of the world has to offer with her son!

Good Traits: Lauren is very much a hard-worker without a doubt, always happy to jump on the boats to help out where needed. Being a mother and also working full-time she definitely has her hands full. She has a kind caring nature and is a pleasure to work with.

Meet The Team

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