It all started with a radio advert.

In 2006 it just so happened that Laurence was searching for a recruiter and put an advert on Riviera Radio. Fiona, who at the time was working at a provisioning company in Golfe Juan, heard it, applied, and the rest was history.

It couldn’t have come at a better time, as she was looking to put down roots. Growing up, her family moved country every three years or so, and by the time she reached Antibes she had had enough of that.

Twenty years later, she is still here.

Back then, the office she walked into was small. A team of four, one room, and a deck department that consisted entirely of Fiona.

“I shared my office with Laurence,” she says, “and my computer was actually in front of her desk, so she could see everything I got up to…”

There are 22 of us now, across six departments, and the deck desk that used to be one person is a strong team. Most things about the job have changed, too. The fleet is bigger, the certifications are more complex, and nobody sends CVs by fax any more.

We asked her about a placement she still thinks about, and she did not have to think for long.

“My most memorable placement was back in 2009, when I placed a young deckhand on a 60 metre yacht. I remember really hoping he wouldn’t let me down.”

FIONA MURRAY

And he did not. He is still with the same family seventeen years on, Captain of their 90 metre now, and he even met his wife on board.

It is not really the placement she talks about. It is what happened afterwards, and the fact that she was still here to see it.

And many years later, things like this still happen. James first met Fiona in May 2025, an aspiring deckhand who had almost given up on getting into the industry after other recruiters turned him away.

“After almost giving up on getting into the industry, when other recruiters didn’t give me a chance as a first time deckhand, Fiona gave me hope and instilled positivity when I needed it the most.”

JAMES, DECKHAND

She started him on a month of temp work on a 67 metre. Then the Monaco Yacht Show, assisting with tender operations for Edmiston. As the show drew to a close she rang him again, this time about six months of temp work on a 57 metre. Two weeks in, the position became permanent. He has now finished his first full season on board.

James says he would not be where he is today without her.

He is not the only one. Kate and Adam told us the same thing, in their own words, and none of the three knew the others had said it. Kate came to Fiona in her first few weeks in yachting, and says Fiona saw her potential “when lots of others dismissed my lack of experience.” She has now been on the vessel Fiona found her for nearly three years. Adam is six years into a career that started the same way, and his words say it all. “I owe it all to Fiona.”

Chloe, one of her candidates, has been working with Fiona for the past two years.

“She’s never pushed me into taking a boat just for the sake of finding me a job,” she says. She waits for the right one, then checks in through the whole time on board. “I’ve always felt that I can call her, even outside of work hours, and I never feel rushed or like I’m a burden.”

One part of what Chloe said stood out.

“As a female trying to progress in a deck career, I’ve really valued the fact that Fiona has always supported my goals and never made me feel like I should take an easier option. She’s treated me with the same confidence and respect throughout, which is incredibly refreshing.”

CHLOE, DECK CREW

Adam puts the reason down to something specific. “The care she takes for a candidate’s position, programme and character is what puts her above all.”

Damien is on the client side, and he has been working with Fiona for almost the whole twenty years.

“Her positivity, kindness, professionalism, experience and excellent understanding of the operation have been invaluable, particularly in putting forward deckhands who were a perfect fit for the vessel’s dynamic and programme.”

DAMIEN

With all the growth, Fiona says that the most important parts of the job have stayed the same.

“What hasn’t changed is that personal touch,” she says. “Alex and I work really closely together in the deck department, and I think that sense of teamwork and trust really carries through to our clients and candidates.”

Her advice for anyone starting out on deck this season has not changed much either. Be patient, she says. Do not be discouraged if you do not land your first job immediately. Keep putting yourself out there. It can take time, but you will get there.

Twenty years is a long time to do anything, let alone recruitment, and she is still as passionate about it as ever.

“I still absolutely love my job. Finding someone a job is a great feeling, but what I really love is being part of people’s journeys. I’ve known some candidates for years, and watching their careers develop gives me a huge amount of satisfaction.”

FIONA MURRAY

Chloe says you can tell she really loves what she does. James calls her a credit to YPI CREW and to the yachting industry. And Kate said this.

“She is like a warm ray of sunshine, and unbelievably good at her job.”

KATE

Congratulations, Fiona, from all of us. Here’s to the next 20.