A BASILDON businessman has signed up to join a team attempting to break the round the world powerboat world record.

John Gladman, 55, has signed up as part of Team Britannia.

Team Britannia is a multi-million pound British bid led by ocean adventurer Alan Priddy to design and build the fastest and most fuel-efficient wave-slicing powerboat to circumnavigate the globe and beat the record, currently at 60 days 23 hours 49 minutes.

Construction of the boat started at the beginning of June 2016.

Mr Gladman, who founded companies including IT firm, Oakley VR, and Worrinots Ltd, will become of one the onboard crew, consisting of 19 men, for the 42,000km record attempt.

The businessman has been sailing since he was a teenager, when he was inspired by his father who served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War.

When he was 14-years-old, Mr Gradman navigated across the channel and has harboured dreams of sea adventures ever since.

Mr Gladman, said: “I am over the moon to join Alan’s crew and team of experienced sailors and veterans.

“Breaking the round the world powerboat record is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me and completes my bucket list.

“I am looking forward to meeting the rest of the crew and to start training for the record attempt that could be launched as early as October.”

The Team Britannia superboat will use revolutionary equipment, constructed out of marine-grade aluminium which will cut fuel consumption by up to 30 per cent.

The record attempt will be led by ocean racing legend, Alan Priddy.

He said: “It gives me huge pleasure to welcome John to the team. As someone who has been boating since he was a kid he brings a wealth of experience to the crew, which we will need if we are going to break sailing’s toughest challenge.”

The proposed route will start in Gibraltar before calling at Puerto Rico or Antigua, followed by Manzanillo, Honolulu, Guam, Singapore, Oman and Malta.

Mr Gladman, a dedicated family man as well as a businessman, runs Worrinots, with his wife Tracy.

The company is based around an award-winning app that helps children overcome worries, stress and mental health issues.