Acuity Advisor's Best Summer Retreat Ever!

Case Study: Acuity Advisors Summer Party

Client: Acuity Advisors Event: Summer Party & Team Retreat Attendees: 16 staff Duration: 2 days Location: The Solent, Cowes, Isle of Wight Provided by: Prometheus Sailing

The Brief

Acuity Advisors brought 16 staff away from their London office for a two-day retreat, looking to break from the traditional city summer social and give their team something genuinely different: a shared, hands-on experience that would bring everyone together, build connection outside the office, and create memories that would outlast a typical night out.

As Managing Partner Marcus Allchurch put it:
"I wanted to create a memorable event for the team that gave everyone a new, shared experience in a different environment and where the team had time away together to really bond."

Why Sailing

For Acuity, sailing offered something their usual city-based socials couldn't: a genuinely hands-on challenge where every team member — regardless of experience — could get stuck in. It combined team building, a physical challenge, relaxation, and fun in a single day, with most of the team trying sailing for the very first time.

The Experience

Prometheus Sailing organised two of their modern Jeanneau 410 yachts complete with professional crew, onboard catering, and a full day on the water, followed by an evening BBQ at the Island Sailing Club in Cowes.

The day didn't go entirely to plan on the weather front — the team sailed through some lively conditions, including a rain storm — but this ended up defining the experience. With little prior sailing knowledge between them, the team pitched in alongside the crew, working the winches and hauling sheets together, and came away with a genuine sense of shared achievement.

Vice President Ashley Smith described it as:
"An unforgettable trip and a fantastic first experience in sailing. Working as a crew with your teammates — furiously turning the winch and hauling on the sheets — is a lot of fun, and what better place to do it than the Isle of Wight."

The first day closed with a sunset BBQ at the Island Sailing Club, where both crews swapped stories from the water. Branded flags, yacht branding, and an on-water photographer meant the team also came home with a set of standout photos from the day. Day two saw some fun, competitive racing between the two crews, with lunch onboard and ending back in Portsmouth in plenty of time for guests to be on their way before the rush hour traffic.

Seamless from Start to Finish

For a busy London team, ease of planning mattered as much as the day itself. Every detail — yachts, crew, dinner in Cowes, and overnight accommodation — was organised end-to-end by Prometheus Sailing, removing the burden from Acuity's team entirely.

"Simon took care of every detail, from organising the yachts and crew to dinner in Cowes and the overnight accommodation. It made planning effortless for our busy London-based team."

The Outcome

The feedback from the Acuity team was overwhelmingly positive. For most, it was a genuinely new experience they wouldn't have had otherwise — sea legs the next morning included. More importantly, it gave the team real time to connect outside of work, with people still talking about the trip long after the event.

"The trip created shared experiences that the team is still talking about. It was exactly the balance we were hoping for: a challenge, some fun and valuable time away from emails."

In Their Words

Marcus Allchurch, Managing Partner:
"The sailing trip was something different that genuinely brought the team together... Simon and the crew made the whole experience effortless from our side, and the combination of sailing, great hospitality and excellent organisation made it a summer party the team won't forget."
Ashley Smith, Vice President:
"An unforgettable trip and a fantastic first experience in sailing. Working as a crew with your teammates — furiously turning the winch and hauling on the sheets — is a lot of fun, and what better place to do it than the Isle of Wight."

A huge thank you to Acuity Advisors for their trust in Prometheus Sailing to deliver their summer offsite — we hope to welcome them back aboard again soon.