Industry Leaders Q&A - Terry Sloane

Terry is managing director of Planet Ocean & ecoSUB Robotics.  Planet Ocean represents manufacturers of oceanographic and meteorological instruments from around the world, as well as designing and manufacturing bespoke instruments and systems for ocean research. In 2016, Terry established ecoSUB Robotics Ltd to develop Autonomous Underwater Vehicles, designed and developed in collaboration with the MARS group at the NOC Southampton.

He is a fellow of both IMarEST and the Royal Meteorological Society and is Chairman of the Marine Science & Technology Group of the Society of Maritime Industries.

 

 

How has Planet Ocean adapted to the challenges of these uncertain times?

We were well prepared before the events of early 2020.  Our IT, comms, CRM, accounting & management systems were already cloud based allowed us to relocate everyone away from our two offices before lockdown was enforced upon us and by alternating staffing of our warehouse, workshop and main office we were able to maintain incoming and outgoing shipments, service & support without interruption.  Thank goodness for Zoom, Teams, skype and the like and our own VPN and servers. Without those tools it would have been a lot harder.  Field testing of our ecoSUB vehicles was challenging, but we have a great team who got very creative, using local resources including paddling pools in the garden, to keep pushing forward.

Please tell us more about how you are supporting your teams and/or local communities?

It’s my job to do my best to ensure that our team have all the resources required to achieve their goals, simple as that.  In the wider community we try to focus on using our expertise and skills rather than in generic community based activities.  For example, I work with Maggie Philbin (remember Tomorrows World?) at Teen Tech www.teentech.com as a STEM ambassador, mentoring young scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs and SATRO www.satro.org.uk which has similar aims.  Others in our team guest lecture to undergraduates at Southampton & Portsmouth University on Robotics and careers in environmental science.  These are things we have passion for and where our experience can be well deployed.

How do you think the industry will change? Are there potential opportunities?

There are enormous opportunities for our industry ahead, not just as a result of the pandemic.  We are seeing a lot of pent up demand from the last 15 months that is being released now.  Clearly this is a significant period of change across the board, faster and more widespread than I have seen in my 45+ years in the business.  The way in which marine science is undertaken is changing, with a move to autonomous data collection platforms and with it the ability to sample with far greater temporal and spatial resolution is foremost; and this requires the ability to process large data sets efficiently, and with more meaning and distribute the learnings from that data more widely and collaboratively.  Climate change is at last very much in the spotlight and there are real opportunities for our industry to provide new technology to contribute to understanding and mitigating the effects and possibly, reversing them.  The energy sector, with the change from carbon to renewables and decommissioning along with, CC&S offer enormous opportunities. Marine Science underpins all of Maritime, including shipping, maritime defence, aquaculture, leisure, resources, sustainability,  the list goes on.

What do you think are the main challenges ahead?

Isolationism – The problems we face and therefore the opportunities are global, they know no geopolitical boundaries, we need to collaborate not just in the developed World, but the whole World.  We need to ensure that the tools and methods used to acquire the data are consistent around the World and that the entire system is understood at the same scale and accuracy.  Funding – Whilst it is true that the Ocean Business is now populated by some quite large multi-national enterprises there are still very many small to medium sized players doing great work and innovating without adequate funding from Government. This slows down the process and keeps the risks for these players high.  Some governments are far more supportive to our industry than others.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of your job?

Although I have been building and running Companies for over 30 years, I am an engineer at heart and being in the room with our R&D team gives me the biggest buzz.  The ecoSUB project has meant working with some truly amazing, engineers and administrators for whom nothing is ever off the table.  They continue to surprise me with their solutions to problems whilst being able to see the commercial implications.  Similarly, some of the new technology emerging from our global partners is equally as stunning.  Seeing these efforts make a real difference in the World is very satisfying.

Who or what inspires you to be even better?

The team inspire me, their passion and skill, they always go the extra mile, good enough will never do for them.  Do better?  Just keeping up with them is a challenge for me.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself that most people don’t know...

I played County Rugby as a schoolboy but coached non-league youth football for several years as an adult.

What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry?

This is an industry that has opportunities that cover a huge range skill sets.  If you have a passion for the ocean and the path that you had planned does not pan out, there is always another path to tread that will keep you connected with the ocean and all that it has to offer.

How important is Ocean Business to the ocean technology sector? Why would you recommend a visit?

Ocean Business is unique in our World.  It has grown in a relatively short time to be one of the must attend events in the industry.  OB is truly hands on,  where manufactures can demonstrate their technology on the water or in the NOC facilities, undertake classroom workshops and training sessions and where there are no gigantic stands.  The whole community is looking forward to this years event especially, for most it will be the first face to face event in nearly two years.

by Pam Johns

Industry Leader Q&A with SMI's CEO, Tom Chant

About Tom...

Tom has a long association with the marine industry, having been an active sailor and student of boatbuilding in Southampton. His career has encompassed a wide range of market sectors and he has gathered experience of business development, marketing and distribution in an international business environment. Recent career experience included distributor management for a marine equipment company before he joined SMI in February 2017, as the Business Development Director and Secretary to the Commercial Marine Group and Marine Science & Technology Group. Tom was appointed Chief Executive of the SMI in August 2020.

How is SMI adapting to the challenges of these uncertain times?

The initial work of the pandemic was all around helping to find out information and feeding in industry views to a variety of government panels. These were pretty much weekly at the start but that’s now receded to a fortnightly or monthly routine. Currently, we’re looking at how to operate in this hybrid world, with physical attendees joined by ones via Teams/Zoom. Providing insight and value to members is both easier and more difficult in the virtual world. We can’t completely recreate the spontaneity of physical meetings and yet we can provide insight more easily as no one has to travel.

Please tell us more about how you are supporting your teams and/or local communities?

The SMI team has been having almost daily catch ups via Teams since I took over in August last year. We’re up to about 60 meetings now just for this year. These have been essential in sharing updates on all the work we get involved in. At the same time they are a valuable team building/shared pain exercise!

How do you think the industry will change? Are there potential opportunities?

The digital world has certainly been fast-forwarded, combined with a need to remove humans from environments due to covid and cost. That really plays into the MST sector and its strengths. There are always opportunities out there!

What do you think are the main challenges ahead?

Private and company investment will have taken a hit, which reduce order books for some but as some areas - like oil and gas - shrink the opportunities in renewables grow so companies have to be agile and responsive to the markets.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of your job?

I’m privileged to be connected across the industry at the highest levels and really enjoy being able to connect people with opportunities.

And the most challenging?

Probably the sheer diversity of the sector and how it expands beyond MST into the rest of the SMI membership and sectors – but that makes it fascinating so I’m not complaining.

Who or what inspires you to be even better?

I do my best to surround myself with positive engaging people and there is no shortage of them within SMI’s membership.  I hope I’m never heard saying “..but we’ve always done it like that”, as I’m keen to try new ideas. One day I’ll do some more work with something like the Open University, which keeps the grey cells developing.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself that most people don’t know.

I worked on a luxury yacht for the best part of 2 years and sailed the Atlantic twice – once the “wrong way” from the Azores direct to Bermuda.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?

A recent advice, which I’ve used a lot is “faster, better, cheaper”. To sell more you need one of those 3 things.

What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry?

Jump in – join professional societies, keep learning and get involved beyond the day job.

Why is innovation so vital to the ocean technology sector?

The challenges out there are immense in climate change and environmental damage, all whilst reducing human involvement. There is an immense amount of work to be done and innovation creates more ways to solve these huge issues.

How important is Ocean Business to the ocean technology sector? Why would you recommend a visit?

You won’t find another exhibition like it – smaller approachable exhibition stands, live demos and the best networking, all while being in the heart of the UK industry at the NOC.

by Dan Levett

Industry Leader Q&A with Prof Edward Hill CBE

Professor Ed Hill is Chief Executive of the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) having been appointed as Executive Director in 2010, previously holding the position of Director at NOC since 2005 and the Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory (NERC) in Liverpool 1999-2005. Professor Hill has served and continues to serve on numerous national and international advisory bodies, including: the International Steering Group of the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS), the European Marine Board (EMB), the cross UK Government UK Marine Science Coordination Committee (MSCC), the Governing Board of the National Partnership for Ocean Prediction (NPOP).

Professor Hill’s research background is in physical oceanography, specialising in the circulation of continental shelf seas and participated in over 20 research ship expeditions, half of these as Principal Scientist. Professor Hill received his MSc and PhD degrees in oceanography from Bangor University and his BSc in applied mathematics from the University of Sheffield, and subsequently recognised by both universities with the award of an Honorary Fellowship (Bangor) and an Honorary Doctorate of Science (Sheffield). He was appointed a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to environmental sciences.

 

  1. How is your business adapting to the challenges of these uncertain times?

Like many organisations we had to adapt quickly to home working which we found worked well.  A lot of science could be done remote which reduced the amount of staff working onsite.  We found that engagement in large meetings was easier to manage when run as a remote event.

However, the biggest challenge was operating the research vessels which required scaling back.  We made the most of this opportunity by having a period of maintenance with ship refits over the summer and were able to resume the expedition programme from September 2020, with reduced scientific parties involved.

We put in various layers of protection including the use of quarantining and made use of testing as and when it became available.

We continued to develop technology for ocean observations but the ability to test and trial is something we are looking forward to resuming as things get back to normal.  Ultimately, science is a creative and social business that benefits largely from interaction with each other.

 

  1. Please tell us more about how you are supporting your teams and/or local communities?
  • Wellbeing programme – webinars, EAP, newsletters, virtual Pilates
  • Staff trained in wellbeing to be point of contact for those who need it
  • Open staff meeting – regular communication
  • Regular check ins from line managers to staff
  • Flexible working – allowances for home schooling
  • Encouraging staff to look after mental health – encouraging daily walks, being flexible in work, not to stress about achieving as much as they would in normal circumstances
  • We provided PPE to local hospitals during the first wave, which were printed at our facility by our staff

 

  1. How do you think the industry will change? Are there potential opportunities?

Our primary focus is research and development.  We are likely to see more flexible working in the future and we had already been looking to limit extensive travel, especially internationally, to reduce our carbon footprint.  The restrictions on travel has given us an opportunity to participate in large international conferences remotely without the need to travel.  We do expect to see more remote communications, although for early career researchers, networking face to face is extremely beneficial.

The pandemic also seems to have made the public more aware of the role of science.  Science has clearly been important for providing solutions to the pandemic, and I think there is a great respect for science being used to deliver solutions.

 

  1. What do you think are the main challenges ahead?

The scientific advice given to Government during the pandemic has underpinned some unpopular choices e.g. lockdown, which had an enormous impact on lives and businesses.  Consequently, public and media has had a closer scrutiny on what scientists are saying, questioning the data and conclusions drawn from epidemical models.  This is not necessarily a bad thing.  Science based advice into government may expect greater public scrutiny especially when leading to major impacts on peoples like such as NET ZERO/green energy transition.

The main challenge, in a nutshell, is to continue great science with increased public interest and scrutiny at the same time recognising science is less about facts and more about uncertainty and therefore navigating the uncertainty of decision making based in science advice which is based on incomplete information.

 

  1. What’s the most rewarding aspect of your job?

Seeing great science being done by very bright people across the institute and watching early career researchers develop and grow - making a real impact.

 

  1. And the most challenging?

Recognising the scale and importance of what needs to be done to measure, observe and understand the ocean.  Whilst the recognition that sea blindness (out of sight, out of mind) means that securing the resources to be able to do this is a continual challenge.

 

  1. Who or what inspires you to be even better?

When I’m feeling frustrated, one of the best things is to take a walk around the building.  I always learn something new from someone who perhaps has just discovered something or got an interesting idea about something.  I’m inspired by their enthusiasm.  I go back to my desk thinking, “Yes, this is totally worth it”.

 

  1. Tell us a fun fact about yourself that most people don’t know.

I’ve climbed the Old Man of Hoy, a 449-foot (137-metre) sea stack.  8 hours up 2 hours down – not a world record!

 

  1. What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?

By my former boss once said: “I expect my Directors to direct. If you screw up, come and tell me.  I won’t blame you, I just need to know.  If you screw up repeatedly, I might begin to question your judgement.”

 

  1. What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry?

Anything is possible.  Don’t limit yourself or your own ambitions.  If you put your mind to it, it’s possible.

 

  1. Why is innovation so vital to the ocean technology sector?

The ocean is an economic, environmental, geopolitical and technological frontier and we need new technologies to both measure and operate in the ocean, in ways that enable us to operate at scale and to have a continuous presence in the ocean.  The technology that enables us to do this, are the technologies of the future, e.g. robotics, communications, autonomy, AI and big data analysis.  These are the only things that are absolutely essential.

 

  1. How important is Ocean Business to the ocean technology sector? Why would you recommend a visit?

As the CEO of the National Oceanography Centre, I would say it was very important and a unique opportunity to bring people together from across the industry; to be actually able to undertake hands-on demos of equipment in the water, with conferences and networking opportunities and with the opportunity to informally socialise and engage in the city of Southampton.  All taking place in one of the top research institutions.

With a really great atmosphere, I definitely recommend a visit!  If you come once, you will be back.

 

by Dan Levett