Former Naval Commander Charts Course for TMG

A former nuclear submarine commander who was responsible for £1billion worth of nuclear assets has taken the helm at a global maritime consultancy.

Les Chapman, who has more than 40 years of naval and business experience, has joined The Maritime Group (International) Limited (TMG) as its new director of strategy.

Based at the TMG Europe’s Victoria Embankment headquarters in London, he will drive the business forward across a diverse range of disciplines through its global network of maritime experts and partners.

Les said: "As a world-class maritime consultancy, TMG possesses the expertise to help well-established and new businesses grow and succeed. 

"I was drawn to TMG by its high professional standards and the opportunity to assist a wide variety of clients across many maritime sectors.

"I am looking forward to contributing to TMG's continued success as it moves into a new phase of growth." 

Les has joined TMG from Reynolds Technological Inquires Ltd, an accident investigation and forensic engineering consultancy, after six and a half years as its Chief Operating Officer (COO).

He served in the Royal Canadian Navy and also the Royal Navy for 24 years, mainly as a submariner when he was responsible for the management of large numbers of personnel and £1 billion worth of nuclear assets in four command appointments.  

His positions included executive officer and second in command on the Polaris submarine HMS Repulse and the Trident submarine HMS Victorious.

After leaving the navy, Les gained a MBA and held director and senior positions in a number of businesses.

They included head of DNV Maritime Solutions for Northern Europe and Africa,  ship visit manager for the Defence Systems and Equipment International Exhibition, maritime security director at Control Risks Group and export promoter for the UK Government for worldwide ports.

Other roles included project director at Mouchel Consulting and marine operations manager at Associated British Ports in Southampton.

Les, who is an honours graduate in chemical/nuclear engineering, is also a director of the London Shipping Law Centre, a director of AR Brink & Associates and chairman of the Institute of Civil Protection & Emergency Management.

He is a Fellow of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology and the Institute of Civil Protection and Emergency Management, an Associate Fellow of the Nautical Institute, a Liveryman of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners, where he is a member of the Court, The Worshipful Company of Arbitrators, The Worshipful Company of Shipwrights and a Younger Brother of Trinity House.  

TMG is a global consortium of marine consultancies and management companies with offices in Seattle (head office), London, Honolulu, Brisbane and Singapore.

As well as a premier specialist marine consultancy in ferry and cruise its expertise covers all marine disciplines and safety, security and operations at sea. 

Its experts include marine engineers, port civil engineers, port planners, port operators, economists, environmentalists, financial experts, maritime lawyers, ship brokers, traffic experts, naval architects, port architects, surveyors for ports and vessels, marketing experts, security experts and IT experts.
Malcolm Parrott, who is TMG Managing Director and Executive Vice President, said: "Les has exceptional experience in the maritime, security and transportation industries.

"His first class expertise and strategic abilities will ensure excellent business performance for TMG as well as for all of our clients and partners.

"Les and TMG are the perfect fit and he is very welcome aboard as we look forward to the future with even greater confidence."

TMG's expertise includes maritime services; marine consultancy; operational and business advice; bid development, management and support; safety and security at sea; ship brokerage and port development and marketing.

Other services include port operation and management; cargo and freight operations; maritime business development; ship inspections, audits and vetting; technical services and litigation services and expert witness.

Visit  www.the-maritime-group.com for more details about the TMG