Dubai, United Arab Emirates
I am a senior executive with more than 30 years of leadership experience across offshore, marine, subsea and energy services. I have held Regional Director, Chief Operating Officer, Vice President and Managing Director positions, with responsibility for regional P&L, operational performance, business growth, restructuring and organisational transformation. As Regional Director for the Middle East and Caspian at Global Maritime, I led a diverse regional business across multiple markets, connecting commercial strategy with operational execution. My work includes business planning, financial and operational performance, client development, organisational restructuring, governance and collaboration across technical, commercial and financial functions. Throughout my career, I have led businesses through growth, integration and change. My experience includes delivering revenue growth in challenging markets, developing new geophysical and geotechnical business lines, retaining strategically important contracts, supporting post-merger integration and building long-term relationships with national oil companies, international operators, EPC contractors and marine-service organisations. My leadership approach combines commercial discipline with technical understanding, safety, regulatory compliance and accountability. I am particularly effective where an organisation needs to improve performance, strengthen operational control, rebuild collaboration, develop new markets or translate strategy into measurable execution. I also have a strong interest in sustainability, responsible technology and AI governance. I see these as increasingly important components of modern executive leadership and operational resilience, particularly in regulated, safety-critical industries. Core expertise: General Management | P&L Leadership | Regional Operations | Offshore and Marine Services | Subsea Operations | Business Growth | Restructuring | Operational Transformation | Business Development | Commercial Strategy | Contract Negotiation | Post-Merger Integration | Board Governance I welcome confidential conversations regarding COO, Managing Director, Regional Director and other senior executive opportunities within offshore, marine, subsea, energy and related technical-service businesses.
As Regional Director for the Middle East and Caspian at Global Maritime, I lead the regional business across the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Azerbaijan, with responsibility for strategy, P&L performance, operational delivery, business growth, governance and organisational development. I work across technical, commercial and financial functions to translate corporate strategy into practical regional plans, strengthen operational and financial control, improve accountability and develop long-term client relationships. My responsibilities include regional restructuring, business planning, performance management, major tenders, contract negotiations, market development and engagement with national oil companies, international operators, EPC contractors and offshore service providers. During my tenure, I led the turnaround of two underperforming regional offices, bringing both to profitability within 18 months through restructuring, stronger commercial discipline and improved operational performance. I also delivered a substantial improvement in regional profitability while strengthening financial governance, collaboration and execution across the business. I represent the region at executive and board level, providing oversight of performance, risk, growth priorities and organisational change, while ensuring that safety, technical integrity, regulatory compliance and client delivery remain central to every decision.
Appointed to support the performance and development of Global Maritime’s operations across the Middle East and Caspian, with responsibility for regional coordination, client development, operational improvement and alignment with the company’s global strategy. During this period, I assessed the performance of the regional offices, strengthened collaboration between operational, commercial and financial teams, and initiated restructuring and performance-improvement measures across underperforming operations. I also supported key client relationships, business-development activities and regional planning. Promoted to Regional Director after nine months, with expanded responsibility for regional strategy, P&L performance, governance, growth and organisational transformation.
In my role as an Advisory Board Member for the Chartered Management Institute in the Middle East, I help guide how the Institute promotes leadership excellence and ethical management across the region. I share insights from my experience in the offshore and energy sectors to align CMI’s initiatives with real-world industry needs. My focus is on developing a new generation of managers who lead with integrity, accountability, and adaptability, values that are increasingly vital in today’s complex business landscape.
I founded Zero0verhead to provide remote project management, procurement and business advisory services to organisations operating in the energy, offshore and technical-services sectors. I was responsible for business strategy, client development, commercial proposals, project delivery and the management of a distributed team. The operating model was designed to give clients access to experienced professionals without the fixed overhead associated with a traditional consultancy structure. My role included identifying business opportunities, developing client and partner relationships, coordinating consulting assignments and ensuring that deliverables met agreed standards for quality, safety, cost and schedule. The company’s approach incorporated principles aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, with particular emphasis on responsible business practices, transparency, inclusion and sustainable project execution. Key responsibilities included: Business strategy and company development Project management and procurement consulting Client acquisition and relationship management Commercial proposals and contract development Remote team leadership Consulting project delivery Strategic partnerships Quality, safety and performance oversight Sustainable business practices
As Vice President for Offshore and Subsea Services, I led the company’s offshore survey, ROV, diving, subsea and marine asset activities across the UAE and wider regional market. I was responsible for operational performance, project execution, technical governance and the management of marine assets, including vessels, barges and jack-up units. My remit covered asset deployment, operational readiness, maintenance coordination, resource allocation, project mobilisation, budget and schedule control, risk management and compliance with applicable marine, HSE, quality and regulatory requirements. I worked closely with engineering, procurement, construction, marine and operational teams to develop execution plans, procedures and work methods for offshore and underwater activities. I ensured that assets, personnel and specialist equipment were mobilised and operated safely, efficiently and in accordance with contractual and client requirements. I also maintained senior relationships with clients, supporting business development, tendering, contract negotiations and the resolution of operational and commercial issues throughout the project lifecycle. Key responsibilities included: Marine asset and fleet management Vessels, barges and jack-up operations Offshore survey, ROV and diving activities Subsea project planning and execution Asset deployment and operational readiness Project mobilisation and resource planning Budget, schedule and performance control Client and stakeholder management Tendering, business development and contract negotiations HSE, quality, marine and regulatory compliance Leadership of multidisciplinary offshore teams
As Chief Operating Officer, I worked closely with the CEO and Chairman to lead operational performance, corporate development and business growth across the organisation. I was responsible for translating company strategy into operational priorities, strengthening project delivery, supporting commercial development and improving coordination across technical, operational and business functions. My role included oversight of organisational performance, client development, resource planning, service-line expansion and the execution of strategic initiatives. During my tenure, I contributed to more than 100% growth in net-new revenue over a 12-month period. I also led the creation, development and launch of two new business lines: Geophysical Survey and Geotechnical Survey, expanding the company’s technical capabilities and market offering. Key responsibilities included: Operational strategy and execution Corporate development and business growth New service-line development Commercial and client development Organisational performance and resource planning Project delivery and operational governance Cross-functional leadership Strategic planning with the CEO and Chairman Risk, quality and HSE oversight