About

CATCH was founded in 2019 by James Pleasance, an experienced marketing and commercial professional with over 25 years experience in events, sponsorship consultancy, rights holder management and media & communications, largely in the marine and yachting industry. James has delivered a broad range of marketing programs and sponsorship initiatives for leading brands including Rolex SA, Swedish Match AB, Champagne Mumm, Garrard, Wedgwood, Prada, Alpari FX, BMW, Omega, Albert Riele and UBS.

From 2004-2007, James worked with UBS AG during their sponsorship of America's Cup defender Team Alinghi.  In 2008, he founded the yachting industry's first ever global business conference, the World Yacht Racing Forum, attracting over 400 industry leaders. A long term board member of the World Match Racing Tour, the longest running professional series in sailing, James was appointed Executive Director of the Tour in 2012 before managing the sale of the Tour to Swedish company Aston Harald in 2015. James continues to manage the operations and growth strategy of the Tour under new ownership since 2019. In 2022, he successfully launched the Women’s World Match Racing Tour to promote and grow the participation of professional women in sailing.