advisory, Investment, & Consultancy
Henley Partners Limited is the vehicle for Ashley Highfield's board level advisory, consultancy, and investment business
Highlights
Current & Recent: British Marine, Eden Project Ltd, Frost Property Trust, and consultancy work.
In March 2020, it was announced that Ashley was joining the board of Eden Project Limited as a Non-Executive Director. Eden Project's stated mission is to "demonstrate and inspire positive action for the planet.
As a growing movement of global citizens, we reconnect people with nature, we demonstrate and communicate positive change, and we inspire advocates of action."
In 2021, he was asked to also join the EdenProject Board of Trustee's Finance Committee. In '22 asked to Chair the IT Committee, and in '23 became Chair of Eden Project Limited. Ashley stepped down on taking up a full-time role at Oyster Yachts limited.
In 2022, Ashley was asked to join the board of British Marine, the membership organisation for the leisure, superyacht, and small commercial marine industry.
"Committed to the health of our oceans and reducing the environmental footprint of industry, including the carbon footprint produced by recreational boating. British Marine champions sustainable practices within the industry, encouraging members to adopt eco-friendly approaches to preserve marine ecosystems."
Ashley is further involved in a number of consultancy & investment projects directly through HenleyPartners Ltd, including commercial property portfolios, and working with boutique consultancies on a variety of projects.
Oyster Yachts Ltd.
Ashley has been Chairman and then CEO of Oyster Yachts Limited, playing a hands-on role since early 2018 until late 2025 in the successful turn around of Oyster Yachts, makers of the world's finest blue-water luxury sailing yachts. New boat sales revenue have grown strongly, off the back of new models and the Oyster World Rally, at facilities in the UK and Palma, Majorca. The business has now become sustainably profitable, with a enviable reputation for quality, luxury, and innovation.
The i newspaper
Whilst CEO of what is now National World, the UK's largest regional media group, Ashley led the acquisition of the i newspaper, and launched inews.co.uk. Print circulation increased, and the website grew to 5 million users a month (from scratch). The paper and website have won multiple awards, and profits doubled within two years. Bought for £24m in 2016, and sold to DMGT plc for £50m in November 2019.
During this time, Ashley was a Non-Executive Director of the newspaper industry body the News Media Alliance, becoming their Chairman in 2015.
BBC iPlayer
Ashley was the main BBC Board Director responsible for all the BBC's digital output, including BBC Online, R&D, Technology, and the development and launch of the BBC iPlayer, the UK's leading video-on-demand platform.
After leaving the BBC, Ashley went on to become M.D. & VP of Microsoft UK and an NED of William Hill plc. He also took up the role of Governor or the British Film Institute, a role he held for seven years.