AN insurance company director has taken a career break to launch a new business venture on the high seas.

Tony Bloomer has left his post as schemes and affinities director at Gloucester-based Ecclesiastical for six months to run a corporate hospitality and team building enterprise within his company Forward 39 Ltd. His 40-foot yacht is moored in the Solent and he plans to give companies a "high-impact" day's event.

Before joining Ecclesiastical in 2004 Tony held a number of marketing management roles in London and Bristol agencies.

He held senior roles in the Clerical Medical Investment Group and with high-street insurance broker Hill House Hammond.

Tony, who is based in Kingscote, near Nailsworth, said the corporate days could be tailored and packages ranged from luxurious hospitality cruises to reward client guests through to physically challenging participative days for building teams.

Targeting groups from 8-10 people the days include some sail training but aim to have clients manage and sail the boat with minimal guidance from the on-board professional crew. Tony, who has been sailing since he was a youngsters, said: "Guests tend to build a special bond with clients at sea. And sailing is something different compared with what most West-based companies.The season starts in April and runs to the end of October.

"I want to see how it goes," said Tony. "Ecclesiastical have been amazing and very far-sighted."