SOUTHAMPTON-based Clipper Ventures, the AIM quoted yacht racing, marine events, hospitality and training company, has announced six key appointments. Alison Smith, Kelly Gilkison, Jeremy Knight, Carol Blyth, Marie Creed-Helliwell and Victoria White will be based at the company's headquarters in Shamrock Quay.

Hamble's Alison Smith, 33, starts her tenure with Clipper Ventures this week, as marketing manager reporting to Richard Cooper, managing director; Kelly Gilkison, 36, joins Clipper Ventures as event manager for the recently-acquired Around Alone race; Jeremy Knight, 38, who joins from Guilbert, the Andover-based office supplies distributor belonging to the French PPR group, has been appointed to the Clipper Ventures board and will begin his appointment as finance director from September 1; Carol Blyth, 40, joined Clipper Ventures, from the reputed Naim Audio organisation, as crew co-ordinator and has set about processing the Clipper 2002 crew berth applications with great enthusiasm.

The company's corporate sailing division will also be strengthened by the appointment of Marie Creed-Helliwell, 35, as manager of corporate events and hospitality operation, and Victoria White, 27, as event manager.

Mr Cooper, who has been managing director since joining Clipper Ventures in March last year, said: "The opportunities before us are enormous."