About Global Marine Group

The Global Marine Group has consistently been at the forefront of subsea engineering, creating the infrastructure that has allowed new technologies to thrive, led by pioneers filled with passion and creative vision to work collaboratively to achieve greatness.

Back in 1850, our predecessors were centre stage in the evolution of an industry which led to the telephone and internet. They overcame extraordinary challenges to connect all corners of the world, through innovation, grit and sheer determination, so that the extraordinary became ordinary. From the Eastern Telegraph Company in the 1800’s through to today our desire to lead innovation remains strong.

This century is no different. As our people continue to deliver customer-centric solutions to the booming offshore renewables sector, working in a new industry that is focused on creating a sustainable future for our planet. Working in partnership has always been core to how our business has evolved, we pride ourselves on getting things right first time, using our knowledge to deliver bold and resourceful solutions and to dig deep to clearly understand our customers goals. For these reasons our offshore and onshore teams, across our business units are dedicated to building on the foundations of these strong customer relationships.

Today our business, the Global Marine Group is built of extremely capable people, they share a wealth of knowledge, and they represent two brands that constantly achieve excellence, through an exemplary commitment to health and safety and a proactive approach to overcoming engineering challenges to exceed our customers’ expectations.

MISSION STATEMENT

We are committed to being the leading global independent provider of subsea fibre optic cable installation, maintenance and support services, aspiring to deliver uninterrupted connectivity worldwide.

OUR GOAL/VISION

Through Safety Leadership, Operational Excellence & Stability we aim to continually drive industry acceptance and commitment to common goals and a path to a sustainable future for global subsea communications.

Our History

A look into the rich history of the market leaders in offshore engineering since 1860

1860

Global Marine, under the Great Eastern banner, installs the worlds first transatlantic undersea cable (the installation took several years to complete)

1988

Global Marine installs first transatlantic fibre optic cable (TAT-8).

1994

Global Marine acquires BT Marine to increase global presence.

1996

SBSS formed

1998

Global Marine Acquires General Offshore (Shallow Water Services).

1999

Global Crossing acquired C&W Marine.

2000

Global Marine Systems construction and maintenance market share 25% and 40% respectively

2001

Global Marine reports record year in system construction and maintenance revenue. Celebrates 150 years in business

2003

Global Marine carried out the deepest water, ploughing to a depth of 1699m on the Svalbard project. This systems also highlights the installation furthest North, 1350km inside of the Arctic Circle

2004

Global Marine acquired by Bridgehouse Marine Limited

2005

Bridgehouse Marine restructures and transforms the business

2008

Global Marine Power Business Unit announced

2010

Global Marine bury power cable to a depth of 13.8 m below the seabed on the Kepar-Ketam System

2011

Global Marine creates Global Marine Energy

2011

Global Marine builds the Cable Enterprise – the first bespoke Barge for Export Power Cables

2012

Global Marine sells Global Marine Energy to Prysmian

2014

HC2 acquires Global Marine marking an exciting new chapter for the business

2015

Global Marine return to the power sector after a period of non-compete Global Marine has installed over 300,000 km of subsea cable, 22% of the world’s total and has performed 33% of maintenance operations on fibre optic cables globally

2017

Global Marine completes vital power cable repair connecting Isles of Scilly to mainland electricity within just 4 weeks, from mobilization to completion

2019

Invested Partnership with Rovco formed

2020

JFLCO acquires GMG adding their expertise and knowledge to the business

2020

Cable Installation and repair vessel the Normand Clipper added to the Group fleet

2020

Global Marine Group create new business unit, OceanIQ, to support clients with subsea cable data, survey, route engineering, permitting and consultancy services for efficient cable route planning.

2024

Global Marine Group create new business unit, SubConnect, highlighting unparalleled expertise in subsea cable, testing, UJ, UQJ, training and qualification.

Our People

Global Marine Group is recognised across the world for engineering innovation, our teams passion for success is at the heart what we do

Bruce Neilson-Watts
Chief Executive Officer

Becoming CEO in 2022, Bruce began his career with Global Marine Group at sea in 1989, becoming a Master Mariner and the youngest ever Captain in the fleet, before coming ashore in 2005.  He then spent time in Asia, working in both HMN and VP Service Delivery, and SBSS as Managing Director.  Returning to the UK in 2014, Bruce has held a number of strategic posts within the business and headed the Global Marine business unit as Managing Director from 2017 until transitioning to the role of CEO.

Bruce Neilson-Watts

Chief Executive Officer
Mark Shaha
Chief Financial Officer

Mark joined Global Marine Group in 2022 as Chief Financial Officer.

Mark is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and has over 20 years’ experience in commercial finance across international listed businesses and private equity backed companies.

He has worked within various business sectors spanning energy, transport, infrastructure and outsourced services, operating as Group Chief Financial Officer and Regional Chief Financial Officer. He brings significant leadership, transformation and executive experience with responsibilities spanning Finance, IT, Risk Management, Human Resources, Capital Projects, Insurance, Fleet and Real Estate.

Mark holds a BA (Hons) degree in Accounting & Finance and an MSc degree in Computer Science.

Mark is also a Non-Executive Board Trustee and Audit Committee Member of a charitable healthcare organisation.

Mark Shaha

Chief Financial Officer
gail-clark-global-marine
gail-clark-global-marine
Gail Clark
Managing Director, OceanIQ

Gail began working with Global Marine Group as part of the marketing team from 1996 to 2001. Following several years working in other sectors including professional services, retail and manufacturing in both large corporations as well as small start-ups, she returned to Global Marine Group in 2014 heading up marketing activities across the Group.

With the formation of OceanIQ® in 2020, Gail has assumed the role of Managing Director, taking to market the company’s rich wealth of subsea data and route engineering consultancy services.

Gail completed a BA (Hons) Business Studies degree, subsequently completing a postgraduate diploma in Marketing.

Gail Clark

Managing Director, OceanIQ
Paul Deslandes
Managing Director, Telecoms

Paul has been with the company since 1998. He heads up the telecoms teams within the business and is responsible for project delivery, maintenance and all things related to vessels and subsea.

He is highly experienced in key programme and project delivery in compliance with legislative & company standards, polices, and procedures. The projects that have been delivered by Paul and his team vary across the telecoms, renewable energy along with oil & gas sectors. He also contributes to an implementation of improvement programmes within the business as well as being a member of the quality, safety, and environmental committees.

Paul Deslandes

Managing Director, Telecoms
Leanne Thomson
General Counsel

Leanne joined GMG as General Counsel in 2022. She is a solicitor and Notary Public, with over 30 years of in-house legal experience.

Before joining, Leanne was a director of her legal consultancy and has worked in industries spanning oil and gas, renewables, construction and marine services.

Leanne Thomson

General Counsel
Steve Pearce
Director of FP&A and Corporate Development

Steve joined Global Marine Group in 2019 as Director of Financial Planning and Analysis moving to Director of FP&A and Corporate Development in Feb 2020. He has worked in a range of finance-based roles across a variety of industries, particularly telecommunications, manufacturing and FMCG.  From these Steve brings considerable experience in financial analysis, reporting and performance management, strategy development and business process change. Most recently he was Finance Director and then Supply Chain & Integration Director for a food manufacturing group.

Steve holds a BA (Hons) degree in Accounting and Financial Management and qualified as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG.

Steve Pearce

Director of FP&A and Corporate Development
Neil Burns
Neil Burns
Neil Burns
Managing Director of Asset & Operations

Neil started his career with the Royal Navy and trained as a Marine Engineer serving on Nuclear Submarines, before making the move to the Merchant Navy where he served in a number of companies including Global Marine rising to the rank of Chief Engineer. Neil came ashore in 2004 as Technical Superintendent, followed by Fleet Manager, Fleet Director and Managing Director across the oil, chemical, offshore and gas industries.

Neil Burns

Managing Director of Asset & Operations
Paul Rose Global Marine
Paul Rose Global Marine
Paul Rose
Director of HR & Talent

Paul joined Global Marine Group in 2012 originally looking after HR for the Fleet. He assumed responsibility for both shore and fleet personnel in 2015. Previously Paul has worked in a range of senior HR roles in the defence, telecoms, manufacturing and financial sectors.

Paul Rose

Director of HR & Talent
Andrew Seaden
Chief Information Security Officer

Andrew joined Global Marine Group last year having worked in various IT roles for over 30 years. He has experience in a variety of industries, including financial services and construction, amongst others.

Supporting all the business units across the Group, his focus is on technological business transformation. This includes reviewing and making improvements to internal processes, major system changes and transformation of the business environment.

Andrew Seaden

Chief Information Security Officer