How should you score the broker without confusing reputation with independence?

IYBA describes its role in promoting professionalism through a code of ethics and best practices. Membership can be a useful check, but this scorecard does not treat it as a guarantee of a particular recommendation or transaction. (iyba.org)

Ask each broker:

1. Why is this yacht better for our brief than the alternatives?
2. Which recommended yachts are centrally managed or otherwise commercially connected to your firm?
3. Who pays you, and are any referral or additional fees involved?
4. Which material facts have you checked directly, and when?
5. Who handles an urgent problem when the lead broker is unavailable?
6. How will material crew, equipment or availability changes reach us?

If two brokers propose the same vessel, maintain one underlying yacht-evidence record but separate commercial and service assessments. Do not count the same yacht twice as shortlist diversification.

What should finance and privacy reviewers check?

Use a second approver for material transfers as a desk policy. Match the invoice to the contract, independently authenticate the payment contact, document the authorised recipient and repeat verification if instructions change. The callback should use independently established contact details, consistent with FBI guidance. (fbi.gov)

During shortlisting, use functional requirements and anonymous guest labels. Send identity documents or sensitive information only through the agreed channel when legitimately required. The FTC recommends collecting only necessary personal information, restricting access and retaining it only as long as needed. (ftc.gov)

Agree who may receive the guest brief, whether photographs or names may be used publicly, and what is retained after the trip. A promise of discretion should be supported by a process.