Maritime & Shipping Executive Search Team
We understand the unique challenges and opportunities within the maritime and shipping sectors when it comes to executive search. Our dedicated executive search team is committed to connecting you with top-tier talent, ensuring your organisation is led by individuals who can drive growth, innovation, and operational excellence.
With a deep understanding of the maritime and shipping landscape, our team leverages extensive industry knowledge and a vast network of professionals to identify and attract the best candidates. We are here to help you find the perfect fit.
Meet the experts who are ready to support your journey to success in the maritime and shipping industry.
Mark Charman - CEO & Founder
Mark is a highly experienced Executive Search professional with a specialised focus on C-Suite roles within the global maritime and shipping sectors. His expertise extends beyond the identification and acquisition of top executive talent; Mark is also a distinguished advisor in designing search strategies and advising on Senior Executive reward.
With over 30 years in specialist recruitment, Mark combines a wealth of industry knowledge with a deep understanding of market dynamics.
His thought leadership in maritime and shipping recruitment is widely recognised, reflecting his commitment to advancing best practices and innovative strategies in the field.
Martin Bennell - Group Chief Operating Officer
Martin is the Chief Operating Officer of Faststream Recruitment Group, where he leads business operations with a strategic vision and a commitment to excellence. A recruitment veteran, Martin embarked on his career in 2000 and has since become a distinguished figure in the industry. As a fellow of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, he upholds the highest standards of professional practice.
Martin's extensive experience and insights into the maritime and shipping sectors make him an invaluable asset in executive search. His ability to connect with industry leaders and understand the nuanced demands of maritime and shipping businesses ensures that he consistently delivers top-tier talent to meet clients' strategic needs. Martin's dedication to fostering strong relationships and his proactive approach to addressing market trends and challenges underscore his effectiveness in executive recruitment.
Kelsey Purse - Director - EMEA & The Americas
Kelsey is an experienced Executive Search specialist focusing on C-Suite and Director-level positions within shipping and maritime. Her extensive expertise spans key regions including the UK, Europe, the Middle East & Africa and the Americas regions.
Beyond her expertise in identifying and securing top executive talent, Kelsey provides invaluable strategic guidance in shipping recruitment, offering nuanced insights that drive organisational success.
With over a decade of experience, Kelsey has developed a deep understanding of the sector's unique demands and challenges. She is an active member of WISTA UK, where she leverages her knowledge to shape industry best practices and foster professional development.
Lorenzo Agatiello - Director of Asia-Pacific
Lorenzo is the Director of Faststream Recruitment Pte Ltd, spearheading business operations in the Asia-Pacific region from Singapore. With a distinguished recruitment career beginning in 2004, Lorenzo brings a wealth of expertise across diverse industries and sectors.
Lorenzo is renowned for his strategic, results-driven approach to executive search, consistently delivering top-tier talent that aligns with his clients' strategic goals. He provides invaluable insights into adjusting people strategies to navigate market conditions, economic fluctuations, and skill shortages, ensuring his clients remain competitive.
His commitment to excellence and strategic vision makes him an indispensable partner in executive search.
Jonathan Pearse - Head of Executive Search - Commercial Maritime
Jonathan is a recruitment veteran with over 17 years of headhunting, recruiting and market mapping experience at a senior level. Having worked in the shipping sector for the last seven years, Jonathan has been regularly involved in and now specialises in finding executive-level talent for international shipping organisations.
His international network spans commercial, technical and specialist skill sets across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas.
He is committed to recruiting the very best talent in a discrete and personal manner, utilising the relationships and knowledge he has acquired in his time with Faststream Recruitment and Faststream Executive Search.
Mike McGrory - Head of Executive Search - Technical Maritime
.png)
Mike is a seasoned Executive Search Expert with more than a decade of experience managing high-profile search assignments in the Shipping & Maritime sectors.
He has built a global track record of delivering important search assignments for C-level Executives, Directors and Senior Management Appointments.
Mike's portfolio is particularly strong across the Asset Management, Engineering and Technology markets. Adept at managing complex assignments for Private Equity and Investment Groups and Private and Publicly Trading Operators, Shipyards, Technology and Consulting firms.
Mike excels in sourcing and securing Executive Talent, providing trusted advice and valuable insights gained from a deep understanding of the Shipping & Maritime sectors.
We are experts in Executive Search and specialise in the search, recruitment and selection of senior executives and directors for the global Maritime, Shipping and Energy sectors.
We partner with all types and sizes of business across the Maritime, Shipping and Energy sectors, recruiting for the full c-suite, senior executives and difficult to source specialist skill sets.
We use our specialist sector knowledge and our extensive head-hunting experience to find the people you need. We are committed to recruiting the very best talent in a discrete and personal manner.
Contact our Executive Search Team
Call one of our Executive Search teams or complete your details in the form below:
Latest Insights
View All Insights
Scaling Your Maritime Workforce with RPO: A Flexible Approach to Hiring
The maritime industry is constantly evolving, market fluctuations, regulatory changes, and shifting project demands mean that companies must remain agile. Yet, when it comes to hiring, many maritim...
The Future of Maritime Work: Permanent versus Contract Recruitment
The maritime industry is evolving, and so is its workforce. Traditional permanent roles have long been the backbone of maritime businesses, but in recent years, contract recruitment has been on the...
AI, Automation and the Future of Maritime Jobs: Why Human Skills Still Matter
AI is reshaping the maritime industry at an unprecedented pace. From predictive maintenance and autonomous shipping to AI-driven recruitment and workforce optimisation, technology is making operati...
Take the Guesswork Out of Salaries: The Power of Custom Benchmarking for Maritime Hiring
Salary benchmarking plays a vital role in maritime recruitment and compensation strategies, but not all salary reports provide real value. Many businesses rely on off-the-shelf salary surveys that ...
Exploring International Waters: How EOR Services Simplify Global Maritime Hiring
The maritime industry is inherently global, connecting ports, businesses, and talent across continents. However, hiring internationally in this sector is no small feat. Complex labour laws, diverse...
5 Signs You Need an RPO Solution for Your Maritime Business
Recruiting in the maritime and shipping sectors is not getting any easier. With ongoing skills shortages, an ageing workforce, and increasing global competition, many businesses struggle to attract...
Closing the Gap Between Words and Actions in Maritime Leadership
Let’s be honest, closing the gap between what you say and what you do as a leader isn’t easy. It’s especially difficult in maritime, where the stakes are high, the challenges are constant, and you ...
The Hidden Costs of Getting Maritime Employee Salaries Wrong
Getting salaries right in the maritime industry can be tough. It’s about balancing fairness, market competitiveness, and your business’s realities. Mistakes in this area have hidden costs that can ...
Strengthening Maritime Teams with the Power of T-Shaped Skills
The demand for highly specialised professionals in the maritime and shipping sectors is growing. However, as challenges evolve, we need more than just specialists. To stay competitive, professional...
What Makes Maritime Sales Professionals Feel Invested In?
In the competitive maritime sector, where talent retention can be as challenging as attracting top professionals, understanding what makes employees feel truly invested in their work is crucial. B...
The Quiet Cost of Leadership - Managing Loneliness in the Maritime C-Suite
In the world of leadership, feeling lonely is often an unspoken reality. Despite the outward perception of strength and confidence, many leaders find themselves grappling with isolation. This lone...
Why HR Leaders in Maritime Think Hiring Will Be Tough in 2025
The maritime industry is facing an increasingly complex recruitment landscape, with 85% of HR leaders predicting that hiring the right people will be difficult in 2025 (The Talent Market in Transit...