Background
An initial career as a deck officer in the Merchant Navy for 5 years, serving on general cargo, bulk, roll on roll off, container as well as passenger ships in the Cunard fleet. Last seagoing appointment was as 2nd Navigation Officer. Subsequently became a shipbroker in London with the Jardine Matheson Group.
This led to an introduction to the commodity trade and for the next 20 years I worked as a commodity trader dealing predominantly in soft commodities such as sugar, rice, vegetable oil with an emphasis on Third World Trade.
Since 1999 have been self employed acting as an adviser and arbitrator.
Experience encompasses all aspects of trading from buying and selling, both physical and futures. Dealing with banking lines and documentary credits. Handling the placing of insurance, cargo and P & I as well as claims handling. Negotiating charterparties, dry cargo and oil. Managing voyage and time charters.
Professional Qualifications
Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
Chartered Arbitrator
The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators promotes and facilitates the resolution of disputes by arbitration and increasingly other means of dispute resolution for a wide variety of business and commercial sectors in the UK and abroad. Membership is about 11,000 worldwide. The CIARB is the only body to provide extensive training for arbitrators.
Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers
Chartered Shipbroker
The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers is the only internationally recognised professional body representing shipbrokers, ship managers and agents throughout the world. ICS membership represents a commitment to maintaining the highest professional standards across the shipping industry amongst its 3,500 members.
Associate Member Nautical Institute
The Nautical Institute is the international professional body for about 7,000 qualified seafarers and others with an interest in nautical matters. They provide a wide range of services to enhance the professional standing and knowledge of members who are drawn from all sectors of the maritime world. Membership is limited to those who have a seafaring certificate of competence.
Committee Work
Sat on council for the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators for 2 years
Committee member London Branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators for 2 years
Founding Hon Sec the Commodity Arbitration Club for 5 years.
Membership of Other Professional Organisations
The London Shipping Law Centre
The Institute of Export
The Baltic & International Maritime Council
West Africa Business Association
Freeman Worshipful Company of Arbitrators