Perspectives

Return to Marex: Donna reflects on the second time around

Renewables, Harbours & ports, Oil & gas

Seven years seems like a long time in some ways, but in others it definitely doesn’t.

Senior marine consultant Donna Van Damme reflects on returning to Marex and how it has – and hasn’t – changed over the years.

With 2024 drawing to a close and my first year back at Marex under my belt, it seemed like a good time to look back and reflect.

I first worked for Marex between 2013 and 2016 before taking a career break and then returning towards the end of last year.

Seven years seems like a long time in some ways, but in others it definitely doesn’t.

On the face of things, the company looks totally different. There is a new managing director, a much nicer office in Aberdeen but with a smaller team without a sole focus on oil and gas. But I’ve found that the company - and the work we do - is still very similar to the one I left.

Varied clients

During my first stint with Marex, the majority of my day-to-day work was focused on one main oil and gas operator and one drilling rig owner. I spent my time carrying out multiple vessel visits in a week and writing SOPEPs for the drilling rigs.

Now my time is spread over a much more varied client base. I am still writing SOPEPs for the same drilling rig owner but the other client that takes up a large chunk of my time is a windfarm operator.

On the surface, an oil and gas operator and a windfarm operator don’t appear to have much in common, but from a marine assurance perspective there are similarities.

Both require any vessels that come within 500metres of their assets to have completed a marine assurance inspection - and this is where Marex comes in.

The inspections I carry out on crew transfer vessels (CTVs) are broadly along the same lines as those I used to carry out on platform supply vessels (PSVs), albeit with different abbreviations and on a smaller scale.

And while I used to travel to perform inspections the majority of the inspections I carry out now are on my doorstep in Lowestoft.

Location, location, location

Yes, the biggest change is that I am now based in East Anglia and part of my remit it to raise the profile of Marex here.

Back in 2013, I worked out of Bon Accord House in Aberdeen, generally referred to as “the old pop factory” as it used to house a lemonade bottling factory.

The office had a lovely harbour view but the wind literally whistled through the office on blustery days. The sleek new serviced office in Neo House is a stark contrast and it’s difficult to find any similarities until you walk into the office and the same friendly atmosphere is present.

During my first stint at Marex, many a Friday was spent eating with my colleagues at the Bon Accord Shopping Centre or the local Harvesters, and so it was no surprise that during a summer visit north, I once more found myself eating a burger with some of those same colleagues as well as some new ones!

New man at the top

There has been a change of leadership since my first stint. Wayne Henderson is now the company managing director following the sad passing of former MD Ian McDougall.

So it came as a pleasant surprise to find that despite that big change, the company has retained the same values and ethos. This is in large part due to the consistency of the staff.

In 2013-2016 we had approximately 15 staff in the office and now we only have six.

But the core staff are still present even if some, like myself, are now working remotely.

By embracing remote working, Marex has retained the knowledge and expertise of current staff which would otherwise have been lost. Talking with our marine co-ordinator, it surprised me that we still work with a lot of the contactors we used almost 10 years ago.

Growing reach

In Aberdeen if you mention Marex to people within the industry we’re a known entity, while here in Lowestoft at the start of the year we were unknown.

However through our membership of the East of England Energy Group (EEEGR), attending numerous events and the spread of social media posts this is slowly changing. As I was told recently, everyone now knows “I love big boats”.

I’ve attended lots of networking breakfasts, culminating in Wayne doing a joint presentation with Kelly Beaumont from Gallagher at the most recent breakfast. And most excitingly, Marex has been shortlisted for the One to Watch Award at EEEGR’s annual End of Year Awards.

It’s been a whirlwind of a year in my return to Marex, but I think I can look back with satisfaction on a year well spent. And here’s to the next 12 months being even more productive.

Find out more about what Marex does here >> https://www.mmass.co.uk/our-business

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Perspectives