Estonia, Labour-market, Markets and Companies, Port, Tourism, Transport

According to the chairman of the board of Haven Kakumäe OÜ Neeme Kaarma, Haven Kakumäe gladly welcome Indrek Ilves to its team. “Indrek Ilves is experienced, dedicated and respectable person who is devoted to the sea. During the years Ilves has contributed to Estonia’s maritime development in many ways. We are sure that with his help Kakumäe marina will become the best marina in Estonia,” said Kaarma.

Indrek Ilves said that he is more than happy to contribute to the development of the most modern and complete harbour complex in the Baltics. “One of my greatest ambitions is to commit to develop Haven Kakumäe into one of the most modern marina in Estonia and the Baltic Sea region,” Ilves added.

As a manager of Haven Kakumäe marina, Indrek Ilves is going to manage all processes in marina. In addition, Ilves will supervise the yacht club and the sailing school for children, where students from Haabersti comprehensive schools will be given lessons in sailing as a part of their P.E lessons from the autumn 2017. Ilves will continue to support harbour’s sales campaign and special offers to book a place in the post.

Indrek Ilves was born in Tartu where also he acquired an education. He has held various positions in the retail, catering and marketing sector. He has been the manager of two biggest yacht clubs in Estonia - Pärnu Yacht Club (2007 - 2013) and Kalev Yacht Club (2013 - 2016), worked as a partner relationship manager for the Estonian Yachting Union and as a manager of a pop-up maritime school Meresõber. Ilves has been in the organisational team of numerous international regattas held in Estonia, including the ORC European Championships, Laser Radial U19 European Championship, the biggest and most prestigious regatta for open offshore sailors, the Moonsund Regatta, as well as the spectacular match race competition. In addition, Ilves has been involved with development of small harbours since 2007.

“I take great pride in developing Estonian small harbours, because of that I was one of the initiators of Estonian Small Harbours Development Centre in 2011. I am really happy to say that in the last few years the development of Estonian small harbours has been exceptional. Interest in sailing and local ports has significantly increased and are being regarded as potential great tourism and export attractions that could become income sources for the nation. Estonia as maritime nation has many small marinas with the necessary and even exceptionally surprising services and quality that could be used for promoting the country,” said Ilves.

Indrek Ilves has been sailing for 16 years and lately he has been interested in fast catamarans which he calls his biggest passion.