People
The SMS Group is led by 18 industry professionals; the Senior Management Team and General Management Team are all key to the success of the business.
ALEX STOBO
Alex is an experienced marine engineer and shipbuilding professional based just outside of Glasgow – he leads our business in Scotland as General Manager; ex Babcock he has a proven track record of leading teams to deliver high profile ship build and commercial marine projects. Outside of work he likes to travel and enjoys football, and spending time with his family and grandchildren.
DAVID GOODERHAM
David is Lowestoft born and bred, and a mechanical professional through and through. Having qualified as a motorcycle mechanic he made the transition to the marine industry in 2002, and for the last twenty years he’s worked within the shipyard, where he’s now General Manager. Outside of work he’s restoring a classic cruiser for the Broads.
david.gooderham@sms-marine.co.uk
JOHN WEBB
John heads up our diving and subsurface engineering business; as Diving & General Manager. It’s a national endeavour which is run from our premises in Dover. He’s a formally qualified marine engineer and tremendously experienced; John’s profession is also his passion and outside of work he very much enjoys diving and historical marine exploration.
MATT STOWE
Matt leads our complex service and support business within HMNB Portsmouth – he’s General Manager for the footprint. He’s ex BAE Systems and passionately believes in our support for the Royal Navy via BAE Systems and KBS Maritime. He’s been on the base ‘man and boy’ and outside of work he very much enjoys spending time with his family and clay pigeon shooting.
BEN ROWE
Ben and Dave run SMS in Southampton. Ben began his career as an apprentice at Western Avenue and has worked his way through the ranks to be General Manager; a ship repair / ship build professional his area of expertise is marine grade welding and fabrication. Outside of work he likes to travel and spend time with friends and family.
DAVE CHAFFERS
Dave and Ben run SMS in Southampton. Dave is a mechanical engineer by trade; having worked extensively around the Solent he’s well networked and extremely knowledgeable with pipe work, fitting, and major mechanical works. He’s also a keen sailor and a passionate scooter enthusiast; Dave loves to spend as much time on the water with his friends and family as he possible can – and he holds on to the dream of one day living on a boat.
dave.chaffers@sms-marine.co.uk
MARC ANDREW
Marc, or Jooles to customers and colleagues, is a marine engineer by trade. He’s a veteran of the Royal Navy – including working within the Diving Team at Devonport. He has over 30 years’ experience, initially working onboard military vessels but latterly embracing a wider spectrum of commercial tonnage within the broader maritime sector. He is a dedicated family man who loves the beaches in North Devon, walking or camping on Dartmoor, and socialising with friends.
DAN LOCKYER
Dan leads our Interior Outfit team; he’s an industry veteran having spent time in several major interior outfitters. His drive and enthusiasm is helping SMS develop into a big player in the niche world of cruise ship interior outfit. He is knowledgeable, professional and focused on ‘best in class’ project management – outside of work he enjoys spending time with family and friends, along with being a keen follower of sports.
GRANT HORDLE
Grant runs the SMS business in Poole; he’s General Manager. Grants background is in civils and structural steel, and he has in recent years made the transition to marine engineering, welding and fabricating. Grant has a tremendous passion for the local business and is highly regarded around the port – he’s a casual ‘arm chair’ investor and loves spending time with his family.
ALISTAIR ROCKETT
Alistair leads the team in Avonmouth. An industry apprentice he ‘cut his teeth’ in both structural steel and static lifting gear / crane world. The site in Avonmouth caters for numerous complex customers, from Hinkley Point C through to the Bristol Port Co. – it’s a strategic location with a big challenge – and Alistair delivers. He’s a family man and he loves to travel; recently returning from a break in India.
alistair.rockett@sms-marine.co.uk
PAUL DOWNER
Paul is Plymouth through and through, a local BD professional with a solid background in civils, marine engineering and structural engineering. He’s a sales professional and heads up our local relationships with the Babcock team from a Warships, Submarines and Estates perspective – he also supports our Southampton and Avonmouth teams when they’re onsite. Outside of works he a keen golfer, football fan, and he loves socialising with friends and family.
NICHOLAS WARREN
Nick is the ‘Commercial & Communications Director’ of SMS; an industry veteran of 20 years, having held numerous leadership roles within the marine industry – with specific commercial, cruise and defence experience. Nick is a major driver behind SMS’s commercial growth, and its geographical spread. With M&A and PE experience Nick is a Freeman of the City of London and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Co. of Shipwrights – and he and the Senior Management Team, strive to deliver for customers, colleagues and supplies alike. Nick’s interests outside of SMS include swimming, shooting and skiing, and spending time with family and friends.
nicholas.warren@sms-marine.co.uk
CHRIS NORMAN
Chris is the ‘Managing Director’ of SMS; a proven project manager by trade with excellent design discipline, and an unrelenting attention to detail. Chris focuses on operational delivery and best of class project management. Together with the Senior Management Team Chris leads the business across its three core markets – commercial marine engineering, cruise, and defence. Chris’s interests outside of SMS include property renovation and spending time with family and friends.
PETER WARREN
Peter is ‘Head of SHEQ & Compliance’. He is a diligent SHEQ professional with 20 years’ experience in the rail, marine and civil engineering and construction sector(s) practising safety, health, environment and quality management. Peter’s role is key to supporting the Senior Management Team and the General Management Team with regards to both the day-to-day operational running of the Co., and also the businesses adherence to our Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) and Integrated Management System (IMS). Peter supports numerous bids and tenders, as well as assists in the delivery of work-in-progress. Peter also manages accreditation and certification. Outside of SMS Peter’s interests include football and spending time with family and friends.
STEVE KNIGHT
Steve is the ‘Head of Finance’ of SMS. Based in Southampton Steve has worked across the marine, automotive and manufacturing sectors in varying roles of financial leadership; he’s disciplined, intuitive, and focused on managing both the finance function within the business and the contractual terms associated with key work packages – Steve works with the Senior Management Team and the General Management Team to ensure the timely, efficient and effective running of SMS’s finances. Steve’s interests outside of SMS include golf, and family fun away camping.