Meet The Team

MEET THE TEAM

Captain Ian Coates

Managing Director

Master Mariner, Captain Ian Coates, has been a prominent figure in the offshore industry for over 30 years, establishing SMC back in 2006 and driving the company towards its current position as a globally renowned provider of services to the renewables, oil & gas, marine and utilities sectors. ​

Ian’s wealth of experience, accrued whilst holding a series of high-level managerial positions across a period of over three decades, has culminated in him becoming a leading marine and HSE consultant.​

Further to his role as Managing Director at SMC, Ian maintains positions on the boards of the Marine Surveying Academy (part of the world-renowned International Institute of Marine Surveyors or ‘IIMS’), and the Humberside Offshore Training Association (HOTA), in addition to delivering training courses as Global Lead Trainer of IMCA Accredited Vessel Inspectors (AVIs).​

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Dean Coates

Operations Director

As Operations Director at SMC, Dean has been involved at senior management level across a catalogue of projects globally, covering construction, operations and maintenance, and service campaigns. Recently, Dean has attained an MBA in Business Management from the University of Leeds.

Dean is an effective Project Manager with a background in both technical and managerial roles. With experience as both an electrically biased Offshore Technician (Siemens L7), and later as a Marine Coordinator, Dean possesses a comprehensive practical knowledge which he is able to apply when overseeing SMC’s operations.

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George Moore

Business Development Director

A graduate of the University of Sheffield, George has worked in Business Development across an array of industries worldwide, since 2013.

In his client-facing role, George remains an ever-present point of contact for clients, partners and suppliers, with a particular focus on the identification of, and engagement with, new business streams, globally. In keeping with his responsibilities as Business Development Director, George leads SMC’s tender composition and bid processes.

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Andrew Corrie

Head of Marine Operations

An Accredited Vessel Inspector (AVI) and Master Mariner Unlimited, Andrew is employed by SMC as Head of Marine Operations, having previously operated as chief mate globally on-board Jack Up Vessels (JUVs), Anchor Handling Tug Supply vessels (AHTSs), Platform Supply Vessels (PSVs), Survey Vessels and Tankers. Andy maintains responsibility and oversight of all SMC’s Marine Coordination, Vessel Inspection, and Marine Consultancy activities.

Andrew’s significant knowledge of and practical experience in offshore construction, operations & maintenance, and supply operations across the Offshore Wind, Oil & Gas, Nuclear and Cargo Shipments sectors is comprehensive and, importantly, current, as he maintains an active engagement in offshore operations on a daily basis.

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Andrea Sheader

Marine Operations Manager

An experienced Marine Professional, Andrea has recently transitioned to the SMC Head Office team, having previously operated as a Marine Coordinator on behalf of the company for a number of years.

With significant experience in marine emergency response situations, Andrea currently crews locally for the RNLI, having first worked within the Merchant Navy as an Officer of the Watch, and subsequently within the Oil & Gas sector aboard ERRV vessels.

Andrea brings strong experience into the SMC back-office team, with a particular focus on supporting our Marine Coordination projects globally.

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Jon Orrock

Inspection and Maintenance Manager

A trained Mechanical Engineer, Jon oversees SMC’s Statutory Inspection division, having previously worked as a Senior Statutory Inspector across a catalogue of offshore projects located throughout Europe.

As a specialist in the inspection, service and maintenance of offshore assets, Jon maintains a range of current offshore certification and accreditation, giving him a robust and informed foundation upon which he is able to deliver solutions to the highest standards of safety and quality.

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Simon Prince

Balance of Plant Operations Manager

Simon is responsible for SMC’s above water Balance of Plant Service operations, primarily supporting above water inspection and maintenance works.

Having previously held the roles of QHSE Manager, QHSE Advisor, and Balance of Plant Technician Supervisor whilst working for SMC, Simon’s knowledge of current best practice in relation to offshore operations has proven to be an invaluable asset to our  ongoing commitments to delivering the highest standards of quality & safety performance.

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Andy Law

QHSE Manager

Andy is an accomplished QHSE professional, having worked in the Offshore sector for almost 15 years. Qualified in NEBOSH and as an ISO 45001 Lead Auditor (amongst an array of further accreditations), Andy ensures the safety and quality control of SMC operations in alignment with our Integrated Business Management System.

His previous experience as both a QHSE Advisor and Offshore WTG Team Lead gives him a solid and demonstrable foundation of knowledge from which to assess, guide and define SMC operations. At SMC we regularly deploy Andy to projects, both onshore and offshore, to enable him to maintain a current working knowledge and appreciation of the working environment and latest innovations and practices.

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Evie Coates

HR Manager

Evie is an accredited HR Professional and leads SMC’s internal Human Resources needs across the business.

Evie has been with the company for a number of years and operates from our Head Office location in the UK.

As HR lead for the business, Evie plays an integral role in ensuring our greatest resource, our people, are managed and supported effectively, with SMC’s team of Full Time Employees operating on behalf of the company worldwide.

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Chris Baxter

Marine Operations Consultant

Chris has spent 10-years working in the offshore sector, having spent the years prior to joining SMC as a CTV Master.

Chris is a highly-qualified marine specialist whose skillset and experience strengthens our Marine Services capabilities as we continue to deliver Marine Coordination and expert Marine Consultancy to the offshore sector.

Additionally, Chris can be deployed as a Marine Coordinator, supplementing our pool of project personnel and reinforcing our position as the market’s leading provider of the service as we boast unrivalled levels of manning and redundancy throughout our active workforce.

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John Higgins

Inspection and Maintenance Project Engineer

A highly experienced offshore wind inspection and maintenance specialist, John works as an Inspection and Maintenance Project Engineer.

John supports the SMC Construction and Maintenance division, providing vital planning and design input, as well as operational coordination and assessment services on behalf of the company.

Prior to joining the SMC Head Office Operations Team, John spent a number of years working as an SMC Statutory Inspection, Service and Maintenance Team Lead.

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Faye McFarlane

Business Development

Faye joined SMC as a local recruit and, over the past 4-year period, has undertaken a fast-track development program within the company.

On first joining SMC, Faye supported the Marine Services department, maintaining responsibility for the project management of a number of our OEM client accounts and supporting our further Developer client accounts as a project coordinator.

Most recently, Faye has transitioned the the Business Development department, bringing with her a strong level of experience of SMC and client operations.

Additionally, Faye holds a degree in modern languages, with capability in Mandarin, German and French speaking, providing a valuable capability to the SMC back-office team as we continue to export services throughout Europe and Asia.

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Daisy Mason

Vessel Inspection Coordinator

Daisy is SMC’s Vessel Inspection Coordinator and has worked with the company since 2016.

With qualifications in Business Administration, as well as Marine Awareness and Vessel Inspections training, Daisy coordinates around 200 Vessel Inspections per year worldwide on behalf of the business.

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Brooklyn Ireland

Recruiter

Brooklyn works as Recruitment Specialist at SMC.

Previously, Brooklyn worked in the roles of Project Coordinator and Vessel Inspection Coordinator here, giving her a robust foundation of knowledge in both SMC and offshore operations and requirements.

Over a number of years she has undertaken a series of recruitment trainings and programmes, and now operates as a dedicated recruiter for our 3rd party resourcing client contracts, as well as for our internal recruitment requirements.

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Mike Hepton

Inspection and Maintenance Project Engineer

Mike joined the SMC team in 2020 and has been integral in positioning SMC as a market leading force in Statutory Inspection, Service and Maintenance operations.

With over 10 years’ experience in the wind sector, with a track record in working throughout the UK and Europe both on and offshore, Mike is able to draw on an extremely robust catalogue of lessons learned that inform and ensure the delivery of best in class services.

As a trained electrical engineer accredited by LEEA, as well as across a range of OEM equipment, such as cranes and lifts, Mike supports SMC’s ongoing operations to the highest of standards.

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Nicole Braithwaite

Inspection & Maintenance Project Coordinator

Nicole joined SMC in 2013 and has played an integral role in coordinating our offshore technician operations, supporting around 200 SMC personnel across our Inspection, Maintenance and Repair activities, primarily throughout the UK and Europe.

Having initially joined as an apprentice, Nicole is now an extremely experienced member of the SMC back-office team and maintains both administrative and practical certification relevant to her role (e.g. Business Administration NVQs & LEEA qualifications).

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Steve Martin

Stores & Logistics Manager

A British Army Veteran, Steve joined SMC as an already accomplished Stores and Logistics specialist with direct experience in supporting the offshore wind sector over recent years.

Steve is certified to reinspect PPE and ensures that SMC’s project PPE, tooling and equipment is compliant and of the requisite quality demanded by SMC.

In addition the the management of SMC’s PPE, tooling and equipment needs, which involves servicing the requirements of over 300 SMC personnel, Steve is supporting the PPE Management Package contracted to SMC by RWE for the construction period of the Sofia Offshore Windfarm.