Personnel

Captain Mark G. Capon. Master Mariner, LLB

Managing Director

Mark served 16 years at sea on a wide variety of ships culminating in 6 years as a Captain in the North Sea oil and gas industry.

Following his seagoing career, he qualified as a solicitor, spent 2 years with a London Shipping Law firm, and is an expert in Merchant Shipping Law and Port legislation.

Mark was subsequently employed by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) for over 6 years as a Surveyor of Ships, a Port State Control Inspector and an Examiner of Master and Mates. He formed the first Enforcement Unit and was involved in many investigations and high profile cases.

He now concentrates on assisting ports around the UK with all aspects of compliance with the Port Marine Safety Code. He audits compliance with the Code and acts as DP for several ports. He conducts casualty investigations on behalf of a major Flag and ports and will manage enforcement issues. Harbour Authorities have instructed Mark to assist with Governance and internal issues and he assists planning authorities with marine matters.

Mark provides the strategic management for Regs4ships. A keen cyclist who has cycled "End to End" and up some Alps.

Captain Richard Eastham. Master Mariner, B.A. MNI

CEO

Richard has been responsible for the technical development of the regulations database into a unique and world leading resource. In addition he has led his team with many complex solutions for shipping customers involving content and document management software and e-mail applications.

Richard has over 27 years experience in the marine industry. After 13 years at sea, latterly on passenger ships as Chief Officer he was appointed Port Captain with responsibility for project cargoes.

Richard spent six years with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency as a Surveyor of Ships, Port State Control Inspector, ISM Auditor and Examiner of Masters and Mates.

During his time at the MCA he became an ISM and Audit specialist including Lead Surveyor experience on P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, P&O Ferries, National Environment Research Council Fleet and prestigious yachts such as "Alexander".

Richard has chaired the Solent branch of the Nautical Institute and is still heavily involved in NI activities.

Nick Gladwell. C.Eng, EUR Ing, B.Sc.(Hons), FIMarEST, MEI

Consultancy Director

Nick progressed from a seagoing Chief Engineer to Superintendent of a fleet of Chemical tankers, then Superintendent for Red Funnel Ferries & Tugs. He then became a Surveyor for the MCA and Cayman Islands Shipping Registry during a career spanning 38 years.

He was at the MCA for 9 years as a Surveyor and Engineer Examiner, was Manager in charge of the Falmouth MCA office; and the UK MCA expert in Dangerous Goods and MARPOL. He sat on several IMO subcommittees and is a qualified auditor and conducted many ISM, ISPS, ISO and Flag State audits.

Nick joined the Cayman Islands Shipping Registry as Chief Surveyor and then was made Director of Survey and Safety based in the Cayman Islands. He led the growth of the CISR for 7 years, particularly into super yachts, of which Nick is a world renowned technical expert.

After leaving CISR Nick joined Regs4ships and leads the Consultancy team. We are now the Recognized Organization (RO) for the Marshall Islands in the survey and certification of yachts and experts in Flag and survey issues.

Captain Mick Caulkin. Master Mariner, B.Sc., MNI

Training and Publications Director

Mick is responsible for leading the development and delivery of training and publications. This has been a very successful growth area and the decision was made in 2010 for Mick to scale back his general management activities (because he was hardly ever in the office) and focus on these areas.

Mick also continues with his very specialised high-level consultancy/auditing and relationship-building.

For 14 years Mick served at sea on passenger ships, tankers and bulk carriers, latterly as Captain. He graduated in Shipping Law and Operations and then worked ashore in New Zealand and Australia in shipping operations and transport business management. Mick then worked for the MCA for over 6 years as a Surveyor of Ships, Port State Control Inspector, ISM Auditor, Examiner of Masters and Mates and, latterly, Enforcement Officer.

During his time with Regs4ships Mick has led with several major projects, such as: the ISPS Code activities successfully delivered for scores of vessels; the introduction of ISM systems to many vessels and managers; and the internal implementation of ISO 9001 and 14001 systems. Mick also lectures at Warsash, colleges overseas and to various Flag State and company customers covering ISM, ISO and ISPS, Auditing and the new DPA and MARPOL Excellence courses.

Robert Aldous B.Sc

Surveyor

Robert joined the company in September 2007, bringing with him over thirteen years of seagoing experience as a Deck Officer. Robert works in the capacity of Surveyor, looking after the implementation of ISM and ISPS procedures. As a qualified Lead Auditor, Robert represents the company globally, auditing yachts and ships of differing Flags.

After completing his cadetship, Robert remained with P&O Cruises for a further five years, progressing to the rank of Second Officer. From this, he went on to work onboard passenger ferries as Mate and latterly worked aboard mega yachts in a senior rank. Now providing our company with a close relationship and understanding of the industry's needs and expectations.

Mark Robinson - Master Mariner, B.Sc.

Surveyor

Mark joined the team in November 2007 having spent 16 years with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, serving the final 3 years in a shore post as the RFA Fleet tanker Superintendent.

Mark gained his Master Mariners Certificate in 2003 having served on a variety of ships and finally sailing as Senior First Officer on the RFA's latest Fleet tanker. He brings with him ship vetting and auditing expertise.

Keith Shears

Head of Technical Publications

Keith joined Regs4ships in August 2005 and is responsible for the Data Products Team. He also provides the essential mariners input to the products in the Content Management System.

Keith has 17 years seagoing experience on a wide variety of ships, including Cargo Ships, Bulk Carriers, Tankers and latterly as a Chief Officer / Senior DPO in the offshore oil and gas industry. He also brings with him 18 years in the MCA (HM Coastguard) in various operational and managerial positions.

During his time with the MCA he served in a wide variety of rescue coordination roles throughout the UK. This was followed by a period where he had technical authorship of the MCA's Search and Rescue related publications. Towards the end of his tenure at the MCA he was the Acting Deputy Chief Operations Officer and Strategic Planning Coordinator; both positions responsible for significant change management and the introduction of complex IT applications.

Tom Westwood B.Sc.

Technical Editor

Tom joined the Regs4ships team in November 2008. He has over 11 years of experience within the maritime world, including both the shipping and ports sectors. He started his career as a Deck Officer Cadet, completing an NVQ in Merchant Vessel Operations, and has since developed both theoretical and practical maritime experience through a variety of roles within the industry, including working at the MCA alongside the SOSREP on maritime incidents within UK waters. Tom has also studied a degree in Shipping Operations at Southampton Solent University, which provided an excellent knowledge of maritime policy.

Dr. Charles Kerr. B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Senior IT Project Officer

Charles joined Regs4ships in July 2008 as a systems developer for the company's customised product team. He brings with him over 15 years of IT systems administration and development.

Charles obtained his doctorate from the University of Southampton where his research focused on novel techniques for integrating satellite imagery and airborne geophysical data as an aid for gold exploration. After working as a geophysics field technician for a site investigation consultancy, Charles spent 3 years working for the Natural Environment Research Council's Equipment Pool for Field Spectroscopy, developing custom software data processing tools and web-based technical documentation.

From there Charles took up an IT support position at the School of Geography, University of Southampton, where, for 10 years, he was responsible for developing and maintaining the School's IT infrastructure. Charles gained extensive knowledge of implementing IT projects from the planning and testing phase through to deployment and user support. He was closely involved in the rollout of the School's Microsoft SharePoint service, a product which forms the basis of many of Regs4ships' customised solutions.

Dr. Jim Milne. B.A., Ph.D.

Senior IT Project Officer

Jim joined Regs4ships in July 2008 after a long career in higher education, having initially taught Geography at the University of Newcastle (1978-1983) and then serving in an IT support role in the School of Geography at the University of Southampton since 1986. Between these posts he worked as Executive Assistant in the Directorate of the Microelectronics Education Programme, which underpinned the introduction of microcomputers in schools.

Jim has extensive experience in providing IT support, database applications, managing computer networks and software development for various platforms. Most recently he has been responsible for the design and maintenance of significant SharePoint applications at the University of Southampton. He is also experienced in topographic surveying and laser scanning.

Jim's primary role at Regs4ships is to develop custom SharePoint applications for the company's maritime clients and support the provision of regulations to the shipping industry.

Angie Towers. B.Sc. (Hons)

Custom Data Project Analyst

Angie joined Regs4ships in January 2011, coming from a long career supporting IT networks and systems in further and higher education.

Angie started her first IT role in a technology college as a network support technician over 18 years ago. She made the move to the University of Southampton, School of Nursing and Midwifery after five years to take on a wider role that included system support and development. Whilst working in the school, Angie also studied Professional Computer Studies part-time and was awarded B.Sc. (Hons) in 2007.

Latterly Angie took on a role within the University's central IT department specialising in web-based enterprise Content Management Systems. The emphasis was on digital asset management, document management and collaborative working practices for projects where physical geographic locations separated team members who needed to work collectively on critical information.

As Custom Data Project Analyst Angie will work closely with the Senior IT Project Officers to develop custom SharePoint applications for maritime clients, enabling them to provide the relevant documentation electronically, in an approved manner, to the vessels they are responsible for.

Ross Forrest

ColdFusion Development and Web Design

Ross joined us from a company who built a browser-based fault diagnosis database for electronic systems onboard motor vehicles and he was selected because of his content management and programming skills.

Ross has worked for Regs4ships since December 2004 and has been heavily involved in developing the functionality of the Content Management System and has become an expert in ColdFusion language. He is responsible for the presentation and structure of each new product group which is developed in the Content Management System.

David Clayden

Sales & Marketing Manager

David has responsibility for the team selling and marketing all Regs4ships and Regs4yachts products.

David has over 27 years of experience in sales and has developed sales teams and strategy for technical recruitment companies throughout the UK. In 1998 he set up the award-winning (Virgin Fast Track and Best IT Recruitment Company in the UK) Preferred IT which was acquired by aap3 Limited in 2009. He has been involved in setting up other companies within technical services and recruitment.

Zena Watton

Customer Services Manager

Zena is our longest serving member of staff and probably the calmest. Zena manages the office infrastructure and support functions to the staff. She provides the essential sales support to Mick and is usually the main point of contact for customers.

Ruth Watson

Customer Services

Bio coming soon…

Angie Calton

Head of Finance

Angie joined Regs4ships on a permanent basis in March 2007, having previously supported us in a part-time capacity for over 3 years, whilst working in practice. Angie brings with her over 20 years of varied accountancy and financial experience from her previous roles, primarily in the marine and yacht industry.

We are pleased to announce that Angie is now also studying for her B.A. (Hons) in Business and Management as well as her full-time role at Regs4ships.

Sara Abul

Business Support Assistant

Sara joined Regs4ships in October 2010 as Business Support Administrator after taking a five-year career break to raise her twins.

Sara spent the previous fifteen years working primarily in administrative roles and prior to that spent six years in the W.R.N.S.

She will be assisting Angie, Head of Finance, with all financial aspects of the company accounting.

Charles Annett

Business Support Assistant

Charles joined Regs4ships in September 2010 as part of a Graduate Internship Scheme and has continued to work for Regs4ships. Charles graduated from the University of Southampton in July 2010 with a BSC honours degree in Oceanography. Charles mainly works alongside Mick Caulkin in the development of new training courses and publications but also helps with other business and administrative tasks.

Judith Guy

Content Author

Judith joined Regs4ships in October 2010 as Content Author. Previously E-Communications Officer at Southampton City Council, she has experience of managing and updating websites and will be assisting the publications team in the maintenance of the Regs4ships website.

Mike Leonard-Williams. Master Mariner, BSc, FNI

CMS Data Technician

After 14 years at sea Mike became a lecturer at the School of Maritime Studies, Plymouth. He also spent 7 years with IMO co-ordinating Maritime Training projects, principally in Ghana and Bangladesh. He also spent a year as Director of Studies at the Malaysian Maritime Academy, Melaka.

On retiring from teaching he joined the MCA in the Navigation Safety Division and was, for two years, seconded to the European Commission as a Nautical Advisor in the Maritime Safety Unit. Here he was involved in drafting EU Maritime Legislation, particularly relating to maritime safety and environmental matters. He was a member of the UK Delegation to IMO whilst at the MCA and the EC Delegation when in Brussels.

His final project before retiring from the MCA was to draft the SOLAS Chapter V - Safety of Navigation document.

James Thomson

CMS Data Technician

James is one of our data entry technicians. Ex-RN diver for many years and recently retired as a North Sea dive supervisor, he manipulates source data and adds value before insertion in the Content Management System database.