Biography

From a young age I was interested in ships and boats. Having grown up in a sailing family on the Clyde, I clearly remember at around the age of 5, drawing a picture for my mother of a ship I had just seen steam past and proclaim that when I grew up, I was going to design boats.

Some 20 years later, in 1996 I graduated from Southampton Institute with a first-class honours degree in naval architecture, and in October of that year I began work with a small independent practice in Hamble near Southampton.

Nigel Gee and Associates was a specialist in high-speed commercial vessels and with around ten employees, and as many years in business, had established itself not only in supporting the local marine industry but also on the international stage.

I quickly realised that this was an exciting business. From my first day I was challenged to think differently by both the principals of the business, my new colleagues and the diverse customer base. The workload was varied and dynamic with opportunities to learn and explore with every job that came to my desk. Combined with an adventurous and work-hard play-hard culture, this gave an amazing platform upon which to develop my career.

The company expanded rapidly into new markets, in all corners of the world and I took every opportunity to grow with the business, moving to Senior Naval Architect within five years. Thereafter I was at the forefront of the company's development of highly specialised vessels; from implementation of production engineering software and processes, through to research and development of new hull forms to address challenges brought about by new economic and defence landscapes.

With yacht engineering having become a significant contributor to the company's turnover, I took on the role of Yacht Design Manager in 2006, and became a director of the business in 2008. Starting with small steps, a clear plan, and a long-term view I led the development of the BMT brand in the yacht market to a position as a market leading independent practice in naval architecture and engineering. I achieved this following a number of guiding principles to leverage marketing, business development and innovation / research and development collateral alongside the delivery of numerous significant projects. Critical to achieving this success was the development and leadership of a specialist team of naval architects and engineers committed to delivering the best service, engineering excellence and value.

In 2009 the business became a client of Oceanco, one of the world's leading superyacht builders. The development and nurturing of this relationship saw the company move from being a customer, to a trusted and integrated partner delivering over 30,000 hours of high quality naval architecture and engineering executed annually under a services agreement.

Under my leadership this long-standing relationship matured into a strategic partnership embodied in the creation of a joint venture business to execute its superyacht work with greater focus and integration, unique brand and focus on meaningful innovation. That business was developed via the engagement of a highly collaborative team covering diverse specialisms.

In 2018 Lateral Naval Architects was launched with significant ambition. Over the next five years the company doubled its turnover, launched five yachts (sail and motor) of over 100m, with a further three in build and four 100m + under development, as well as a broad spectrum of smaller projects for a diverse range of shipyards on an international footprint. This achievement was only possible via the leadership and empowerment of a multidiscipline team of 60 naval architects and engineers. I view the achievements of this team as the pinnacle of my career.

Through that team I have positioned Lateral as a world leading superyacht naval architecture brand within 5 years of launch. With particular focus on innovation in the field of engineering for sustainability, alternative fuels and technologies, to guide clients, our industry and its stakeholders through the uncertain landscape of the energy transition.

In 2018 I was awarded an honorary doctorate in engineering by Southampton Solent University in recognition of my career achievements.

I currently participate as a judge on the panel of the Boat International Design and Innovation Awards, annually recognising our industry's most innovative work.