A former Llandrindod Wells student, turned technical director, is making waves in the luxury yacht market.

Stuart Bowen, 43, and managing director Jack Miller head Custom Marine Developments (CMD), a Mid Wales-based company providing bespoke engineering solutions to clients in the high-end marine industry.

CMD, housed on Abermule Business Park and an offshoot of parent company Makefast, was established in 2020 to customise products for superyachts, tenders and dayboats.

The company's detailed offerings range from door and window systems, sun awnings and sliding roofs to automated anchor launchers.

The design team co-operates with top superyacht builders, design houses and management services to provide innovative solutions for new build and retro fit projects.

The company's installation crew travels the world installing products on superyachts and tenders.

Mr Bowen said: "We are unique in the UK with the specialised services we provide.

"It’s a really creative environment which is always challenging, with no two days the same.

"We are working with several of the world’s leading superyacht and tender builders.

"The boats we work on tend to spend the winter in the Caribbean and the summer in the Mediterranean.

"It’s going to be another busy year with three or four big projects coming through and these types of projects can each take from a month to a year to get into production, depending on their complexity.

"Our ambition is to grow the business and team as much as possible."

Mr Bowen's professional adventure is a stark contrast from his Advanced GNVQ in mechanical engineering studies at Coleg Powys.

Following the course, he began a shared apprenticeship in 2001 at Makefast, whose owner, Bill Brown, served as the scheme chairman.

His good impression scored him a permanent position within the design team at Makefast, which designs and creates equipment for marine and safety industries.

After 16 years with Makefast, Mr Bowen and Mr Miller persuaded Mr Brown to let them launch CMD.

Having benefitted greatly from an apprenticeship himself, Mr Bowen spoke passionately of CMD’s commitment to nurturing fresh talent, as he said: "Apprenticeships are very beneficial because you learn in a dynamic work environment much more quickly than going to university.

"With CMD and Makefast, you also get opportunities to travel the world and meet people of different cultures in a work environment.

"My advice to this year’s school leavers is to seriously consider the apprenticeship option with a good company.

"Makefast is a family-run business which has been so supportive to me and it’s a great place to work, with apprenticeship opportunities."