Women in Marine: Jan Saull, Brin Wilson Boats
As part of our Women in Marine series, this feature highlights Jan Saull of Brin Wilson Boats, a long-standing Flexiteek distributor in New Zealand.
In New Zealand, where the ocean is never far away and around 40% of the population goes boating each year, a connection to the water is part of everyday life. Shaping both communities and careers. For Jan Saull of Brin Wilson Boats, it’s a connection that has defined her life in more ways than one.
A Lifelong Connection to the Water
Jan’s connection to the water began early. Growing up, her family often spent weekends out on the water fishing, which built a quiet but lasting love for boating. Years later, not much has changed except now it’s her own children by her side, continuing a tradition that has stayed close to her heart and shaped her professional life in ways she could never have anticipated.
Building a Business Together
Her journey with Brin Wilson Boats began in 2000, in an office-based role. But her husband, Nick Saull, had acquired the business in a time of transition. What began as a role in the office soon became something much bigger, as the two built the company side by side over the next 15 years, building the company into a respected name within the New Zealand marine sector.
In 2016, that journey took an unexpected and devastating turn. A fatal boating accident took Nick’s life, leaving Jan to cope with her loss while also facing the future of the business they had built together.
Faced with that decision, she chose to continue.
Leading in a Changing Industry
The years that followed were not without challenge. Jan found herself navigating not only grief but the realities of leading a business in a traditionally male-dominated industry. As Jan reflects, the support of staff and customers provided the foundation to keep moving forward, and that support has since been matched by business growth and increasing industry recognition.
Through determination, resilience, and a deep understanding of both her business and her customers, Jan gradually reshaped those perceptions. She earned trust rather than receiving it. And over time, it showed.
Nearly a decade on, Jan has not only maintained the legacy of Brin Wilson Boats but strengthened it. Her leadership has seen the company continue to evolve, building on its reputation for quality craftsmanship while expanding its reach across New Zealand and beyond.
A Long-Standing Partnership with Flexiteek
Alongside this, Jan has played a key role in a long-standing partnership with Flexiteek, which spans more than 15 years. From the early days when synthetic decking was still unfamiliar in a market that valued traditional timber through to its widespread acceptance today, she has been closely involved in its growth within the region.
Reflecting on those early days, Jan recalls visiting the Flexiteek factory in Sweden, gaining first-hand experience with the product and its installation. Jan said, “It was a great experience meeting everyone and seeing how it all worked, and actually getting to work with the product myself. I actually could weld better than Nick.” They started with Flexiteek when changing perceptions wasn’t easy. In a country known for its love of real wood finishes, introducing something new required patience, education, and belief in the product. But, much like her own journey, persistence paid off.
Saull stated, “In the last 5 years, things have changed, and people love the product, and we are getting lots of new builds, refits and certainly lots of new Flexiteek decks.”
One early installation aboard a classic trawler-style vessel named Aquarian remains a defining example. More than a decade on, the decking continues to perform, retaining its appearance and earning ongoing praise, demonstrating both durability and the shifting perception of synthetic solutions within the market
Women in Marine: Shaping the Future
Through it all, one thing has remained constant: her connection to the water.
It’s evident not only in her personal life but in the way she has approached her role within the industry: with consistency, determination, and a focus on long-term relationships.
Her experience also reflects a broader shift within the marine sector. While challenges remain, there is growing recognition of the role women play across all areas of the industry, from leadership to technical expertise.
Advice for the Next Generation
For those considering a similar career path, Jan’s advice is grounded in experience:
“Believe in yourself and don’t be intimidated. In the early years, people would often ask to speak to one of the men. Now, they come in asking for me. That respect has been earned over time, and I’m proud of that.”
As part of Flexiteek’s global distributor network, Jan represents the strength of local expertise combined with an international standard delivering trusted installation, technical knowledge, and long-term customer support within her region.
Written and edited by Emily Norman.
