Our team

Jill Zwaans is the proud founder of YACHT STORY with over 20 years of experience in the yacht charter business. The passion for yachting runs in her family as her grandfather built the first Carlo Riva yacht in 1973 and she spent all holidays on her family’s sailing yacht. Sailing is part of her life and after collecting several sailing certificates, she became a sailing instructor herself. Today, she is still active in Snipe sailing and Superyacht regattas. Jill started her career as a charter assistant in Monaco for a reputable broker house and she hasn’t missed a Yacht Show since. She completed a Masters degree in Maritime Science and moved to Australia as the Sales & Marketing director for a shipyard, traveling frequently between all continents facilitating luxury motor yacht sales. After spending a summer in Porto Cervo, Sardinia, representing the shipyard, she shifted her focus to yacht charters in the most idyllic locations. In 2010 she returned to Belgium with the strong ambition to set-up a charter business in the Benelux for yachts based worldwide. In 2021 she founded Yacht Story with the mission to shape travel expectations into a unique private yachting escape! Her position as active MYBA and CYBA member, proof her professional position in this industry.

Dirk is a partner in the company and brings extensive experience from the yachting industry, with a strong background on the insurance side of the business. Thanks to his knowledge and good people management, he plays a key role in guiding the team and providing the support needed to ensure smooth and effective operations. In addition to his strategic and advisory role, Dirk is responsible for all HR, fiscal, and financial follow-up within the company. His structured approach and broad expertise help maintain a solid organizational foundation, allowing the team to focus on delivering the highest level of service to clients.

Fluent in five languages and having travelled solo across the world, Macha has always been drawn to people, stories, and the little details that make moments unforgettable. The sea has a special place in her heart, it brings her peace, inspires her, and reminds her of the joy in simple pleasures. A lover of books and nature, she finds curiosity and calm wherever she goes, and brings that same energy to every experience she helps create. With a Master’s degree in Psychology and Marketing, Macha combines understanding of human behaviour with creativity, making each journey thoughtful, seamless, and deeply personal. Passionate about connecting with people and helping them craft their memories at sea, she ensures every YACHT STORY charter is as unique as the clients she meets, driven by her creative magical touch.

Loïc’s path to yachting started with an MBA and a backpack. While traveling the world after his studies, he caught the sailing bug and decided to trade a desk for the deck. He spent years working aboard elite superyachts as a deckhand. That experience gave him an “under the hood” perspective on high-performance sailing that you simply can’t learn from a book. When he’s not in the office, he’s still out on the water—usually kitesurfing and chasing the best wind. Now at YACHT STORY, Loïc serves as Charter Executive and Central Agent (CA). He uses his business background to handle the complex logistics of yacht management while drawing on his years at sea to ensure every charter runs flawlessly.

Axel’s grandfather had owned a shipyard in Flanders, Belgium, which meant that Axel started learning the fundamentals of boat building from a young age. As a passionate sailor he obtained all the certificates necessary allowing him to discover the best sailing holiday locations through his own experience. Axel completed a degree at the De Ruyter Maritime Institute in Vlissingen – Netherlands, which he followed up with a career as a marine officer. After several years aboard cruise vessels and yachts, he traded in the sea for land and joined the YACHT STORY team in Spring 2022. His on-board experience combined with yacht management skills made hiring him as Charter Executive and Central Agent (CA) an obvious decision.

Céline began her yachting career in 2020 as a Central Agent at a leading brokerage house in Monaco, where she managed charter operations for a diverse fleet of high-end luxury yachts. For her, yachting is more than a profession — it is a way to connect people with extraordinary destinations and unforgettable experiences. Driven by a strong connection to the sea, Céline followed her dream to the South of France, which she now proudly calls home. As a passionate traveller herself, she spends her free time discovering hidden hotspots and new coastal destinations. Holding a coastal boat permit, she regularly explores secluded Mediterranean bays and enjoys weekends anchored off her favourite beaches. Married to an Italian, Céline is deeply familiar with the different lifestyle and cultures, allowing her to adapt effortlessly to an international clientele. Known for her meticulous organisation, attention to detail and client-focused approach, she combines professionalism with genuine warmth in her role as Central Agent and Charter Executive at YACHT STORY.