Sophie Barber

Contributing Author

Passionate Recruiter – Harp Player – Sunrise Hiker – People Person – Fast Talker

Yacht recruitment felt like a natural path for me, combining my hands-on yachting experience with my love for connecting people. I spent three years onboard, working in both interior and deck roles, and it was during this time that I first envisioned a future in recruitment. I vividly recall meeting with a crew agency in Palma when I started in yachting, thinking, “I’d like to be a recruiter one day.”

After a brief detour as a personal trainer and Les Mills group fitness instructor, I returned to France and secured a receptionist role at Bluewater—my first step into a shoreside career. This led to a journey through various crew agencies, ultimately bringing me full circle back to Bluewater as a crew agent, where I’ve been for the last two years.

What I enjoy most about recruitment is the human connection. Every day, I meet incredible people from all over the world, and I thrive on finding the perfect match—helping candidates advance their careers while supporting clients in building strong, cohesive teams. My own yachting background gives me valuable insight into the industry, allowing me to align the right candidates with the right yachts.

With over five years in recruitment, I’ve honed my ability to understand diverse client needs and guide candidates with tailored support. I’m constantly learning, evolving, and striving to create exceptional matches that elevate both teams and careers.

Outside of work, I love writing about the unique world of yachting and exploring its many facets. You’ll often find me playing the harp, embarking on sunrise hikes, or juggling life with my two young children in the South of France.