Born in Victoria Australia Bruce was educated at Eltham High School & studied yacht design through the US based Westlawn Institute of Marine Technology. Bruce entered the marine industry and for several years operated a boat yard in Brisbane where he completed an informal boatbuilding apprenticeship.

In 1968 Bruce founded BRUCE ROBERTS INTERNATIONAL YACHT DESIGN in partnership with Andrew Slorach ... Andy is still involved in the business.

In 1972 Bruce opened his first "International design office" in the USA. Bruce has since designed a huge range of sail and powerboats that have been built in fiberglass, steel, aluminum and wood epoxy. There are over 30,000 of Bruce's designs in service worldwide.