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We are Marine People.

Our story

Marine People was created to help support an industry suffering from a desperate talent shortage and skills gap. Top specialist shipbuilding talent was, and still is, hard to come by.

Since 2017, in partnership with IMarEST, we’ve been on a mission to find the best shipbuilding talent globally, giving our clients a competitive edge, and our candidates guidance and advice to find the right opportunities at the right companies. In that time, we have successfully placed candidates in major shipyards all over the world. Something that we’re entrusted to do for the largest shipbuilders globally.

At the heart of our agency is a team of industry experts who not only understand the intricacies of shipbuilding recruitment, but also recognise the unique qualities that set top talent apart. Our dedicated recruiters work tirelessly to identify, evaluate, and connect professionals with opportunities that align with their skills, experience, and aspirations.

Partnering with excellence: Our IMarEST affiliation

Our commitment to upholding the highest standards in the shipbuilding industry is deeply ingrained in our partnership with IMarEST (Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology).

As a recognised member, we gain exclusive access to IMarEST’s vast network of skilled professionals, ensuring we stay at the leading edge of industry trends, knowledge, and advancements. We actively participate in IMarEST’s initiatives, shaping the future of the shipbuilding sector and its workforce.

This partnership translates into tangible benefits for both our clients and candidates. For clients, our IMarEST connection assures that we source candidates whose qualifications and expertise align with the institute’s rigorous standards. Whilst for candidates, our affiliation with IMarEST signals our dedication to fostering your long-term career growth.

Visit IMarEST

For job seekers and employers, we deliver results.

Candidates

Looking for the next step in your career can be daunting. We’re here to make the transition as smooth as possible, providing guidance and advice along the way. Marine People provide a range of services to help you get the dream job, in the dream location, and to provide ongoing career development advice.
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Clients

Let us navigate the complexities of talent acquisition for you. Our commitment to excellence, industry expertise, and personalised approach make us the ideal choice for clients seeking to build high-performing teams in the dynamic and competitive maritime landscape.

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Our core values

Trust

We believe in listening and serving our customers, both candidates and clients. Hopefully, you can trust we know what we're doing and doing it the right way.

Knowledge

We're armed with years of experience helping companies recruit the very best talent. We're here with the knowledge, experience and skills to solve your problems.

Quality

We are recruitment experts and have extensive industry specific experience. We believe we can speak your language and deliver quality information and service.

Our recruitment process

Meet the Marine People Team

James Martin

Founder & Director

I’ve spent the last 15 years immersed in shipbuilding recruitment and have had the privilege of supporting UK and international clients find the best possible talent for their teams.

Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of supporting talent at every stage—from fresh-faced graduates eager to make their mark to seasoned executives shaping the industry’s future.

Whether you’re a design house, a bustling shipyard, a key component manufacturer, or part of the vast supply chain, I’m passionate about one thing: delivering a tailored, personable approach to recruitment with results. My success comes from understanding that it’s not just about filling positions; it’s about forging lasting connections with our valued clients and candidates.

Ellen Thomas

Lead Consultant

My career in recruitment began in 2016, with a strong focus on the global shipbuilding industry. I specialise in supporting our UK and International clients throughout the complete shipbuilding lifecycle, from initial design phases to ongoing vessel maintenance. My expertise lies in full-cycle recruitment across ship build, repair, conversion, and design for both technical and professional services roles.

I have had the privilege of serving as a Recruitment Business Partner for the UK Ministry of Defence (DE&S/SDA), where I gained further invaluable insights into the complexities of the sector. My experiences allow me to understand the unique requirements of shipbuilding projects and successfully match skilled individuals with the right opportunities on an international scale.

Dan Martin

Lead Consultant

Since 2016 I have been working within maritime recruitment, starting with the commercial sector to build upon my experience as a boarding agent for a leading tanker agency. In 2019, I joined Marine People as a Naval Shipbuilding Consultant working with companies around the world, sourcing candidates for engineering & design to technical and software – ranging from engineer through to senior leadership.

Lead Consultant at Marine People, working in a buoyant industry worldwide. I’m part of a great, energetic and hard-working team, we work together to find candidates the best role for them and the most skilled candidates for customers. My goal is to keep growing as a consultant, always looking to gain knowledge to best advise, in addition, help grow Marine People year on year.

Elliot Owen

Senior Recruitment Consultant

I started my career in recruitment with Marine People in 2021, previously coming from a client due diligence and legal background. I have progressed with Marine People into a Senior Recruitment Consultant, a role where I thrive on building strong relationships. My ability to understand both the clients’ needs and the candidates’ aspirations allows me to make meaningful connections. I thoroughly enjoy the ‘people element’ of the job, facilitating successful placements that benefit everyone involved. Having this was something I wanted for my career.

Hannah Baynton

Shipbuilding Recruitment Consultant

I had always envisioned myself being a qualified teacher, and so that’s the path I took at university. A short while into my degree, I realised this was not what I wanted to do, yet I was unsure of what I did actually want to do! I found myself sticking through and graduating, and moving on to a career within financial services. I was at this firm for around 3 years when I started getting itchy feet and was looking for a new opportunity.

I was fortunate enough to land in contact with James, Director of Marine People, who persuaded me to join the team. With no recruitment experience, I was extremely cautious to take the risk and move but I can now wholeheartedly say that I wish I had jumped ship sooner (pardon the pun!).

Adam Sadler

Shipbuilding Recruitment Consultant

Since moving from Ireland and starting my professional journey in 2022, Marine People has been instrumental in my development. I’ve gained valuable skills in recruitment, more specifically within the shipbuilding industry.

My main focus is connecting design houses and shipyards with candidates across engineering, production, and programme-related roles, primarily within the Five Eyes.

Through Marine People, I’ve built strong relationships with candidates and key industry players, allowing me to better understand requirements and perspectives from both sides. This knowledge, combined with my growing recruitment skillset helps ensure successful placements.

Sofia Martins

Shipbuilding Recruitment Consultant

My recruitment journey began when I joined Marine People back in September 2023.

I’d always been curious about recruitment, and after trying different roles, this feels like the perfect fit! The apprenticeship programme through Marine People offered me both a career path and valuable qualifications. The support here is amazing, and I’ve learned so much already. I’m excited to keep connecting clients with great candidates and growing my knowledge of recruitment, shipbuilding, and wider maritime industry.

Sam Farrimond

Shipbuilding Recruitment Consultant

With a strong background of 4 years as a Delivery Consultant in the marine industry, I specialise in helping top-tier engineering and design professionals find their perfect role, whether it’s here in the UK, or further afield.

My expertise lies in talent identification, candidate support, and fostering strong client partnerships. I find that my personable approach helps ensure a seamless and successful recruitment process from initial candidate search to final placement.

James Shreves

Senior Marketing Executive

My passion for marketing lies in its dynamic nature and the challenges it presents.

Since starting my professional journey in 2018, I’ve eagerly embraced diverse marketing roles across industries ranging from the private healthcare sector in our bustling capital to automotive and telecoms here on the South Coast. This varied experience, combined with my analytical mindset, has cultivated a data-driven approach to marketing. I believe understanding metrics and how their impact is key to unlocking potential and delivering successful marketing initiatives.

Now, with Marine People, I’m excited to bring my skills into the dynamic world of shipbuilding recruitment. My goal is to continuously evaluate our digital processes, identify areas for optimisation, and implement solutions that enhance the experience for both our valued clients and the skilled candidates we help place in industry-leading companies.

Let’s chat

If you have any questions, or aren’t sure, get in touch. Whether you are an employer looking for your next hire or a candidate looking for your next job we can help you get on track.

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