From naval architects and draughtsmen, to structural engineers and project managers, our team consist of a plethora of diverse skills and expansive experience, gained across projects over a variety of sectors across the globe.
John MacSween, Managing Director
John A MacSween is the Managing Director of the Malin Group. Having graduated with a degree in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering from Glasgow University, John joined Henry Abram and Sons Ltd as a Graduate Marine Superintendent. From here he has spear-headed development and diversification initiatives, resulting in the Malin Group, home to several successful sub-brands, which focus on marine manufacturing, support, and technology sectors all over the world.
Lindsay McDougall, Technical Director
Lindsay is a Chartered Engineer, with extensive experience in the transport of heavy cargoes. He joined the Malin Group in 2002, having graduated from Glasgow University with a BEng in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering. Lindsay has progressed through the ranks of the company, carrying out engineering and project management duties before rising to the level of Director. As Lindsay’s experience encompasses both the operational and technical streams of the business, as Director he retains oversight of these as well as carrying out his other senior duties.
Steve Thornley, Sales Director
Steve joined Henry Abram & Sons in 1994 and has been involved in various contracts with BAE, such as the Auxiliary Oilers, LPD Vessels, T45, CVF and Astute projects. Part of a management buyout of Henry Abram and Sons and Malin Marine Consultants in 2012, Steve was promoted to Sales Director, with responsibility for developing the customer base and creating strong customer relationships. In 2015 Steve, along with his fellow directors, founded Malin Fabrication in order to diversify the service offering and improve the joint offering to clients.
chris dunn, md, malin marine consultants
Chris, a Chartered Engineer and a Member of the Royal Institute of Naval Architects, has over 25 years’ experience in the Shipbuilding and Offshore Wind sectors in the West of Scotland, gaining experience in many of the technical departments within the Upper Clyde shipyards during his 17 years with BAE Systems. He currently heads up our Malin Marine Consultants business unit.
In 2011 he moved from his position as Technical Project Manager at BAE to the Spanish wind turbine manufacturer Gamesa Offshore Wind where he helped develop the offshore turbine manufacture, transportation, assembly and logistics strategies for their offshore installations.
ROBBIE gORMAN, md, malin equipment
Robbie joins Malin Group bringing 20 years of experience in specialist marine technical services and equipment provision and currently heads up our Malin Equipment business unit. His prior roles cover a broad spectrum from multi-stakeholder international contract negotiations to the delivery of complex engineering projects spanning several years. Robbie has been instrumental in the delivery of multiple Submarine Rescue systems, submersible special operations vehicles, diving systems and subsea renewable systems with a particular focus on time critical problem solving and high yield pressure vessel fabrication.
Ben Potter, technical Director
Ben is a Naval Architect with a broad skillset developed over two decades as an Engineering Manager and Technical Authority. After graduating with a Master’s Degree from Southampton University, Ben began his career at VT Shipbuilding, designing surface warships and superyachts, including the 80m Offshore Patrol Vessel HMS Clyde. Ben went on to spend 15 years with JFD, as the Technical Lead for a wide array of complex marine, defence, subsea and hyperbaric projects, applying a rigorous systems-engineering approach allied with a pragmatic, problem-solving attitude.
james bowie, managing director
James Bowie began his career as a summer intern with Malin Abram, before gaining a degree in Naval Architecture and joining full time as a graduate. Having successfully worked through the graduate programme and Naval Architect stream he now holds the Managing Director position in Malin Abram. James has experience in a variety of projects from marine heavy lift transportation to design and manufacture of bespoke jigs and has been involved in major site operations worldwide.
chris cairns, commercial director
Chris joined the team in 2016 and is the Commercial Director for Malin Abram. Chris graduated from Glasgow Caledonian University in 2011 with a degree in Quantity Surveying and spent 5 years with a worldwide oil and gas subsea contractor in Aberdeen, where he managed numerous high-profile tenders for major oil and gas projects. In his current role, Chris is responsible for overseeing Malin Abram tendering activity and developing the Abram client base and creating strong customer relationships. Chris and his team are the focal point for receipt of ITT documentation, collation of specific tender material, leading internal review meetings and performing risk and tender analysis, ensuring bid compliance and tender deadlines are met.
Hannah Davenport, finance director
Hannah Davenport is the Group Finance Director for Malin Group, responsible for financial strategy, reporting, cashflow management, and performance analysis across the group’s portfolio. A Chartered Accountant with over 20 years of experience spanning advertising, nightlife, submarine and satellite manufacturing, Hannah brings a commercial and strategic approach to finance. Since joining Malin in 2019, she has focused on strengthening financial governance, supporting growth, and ensuring the long-term liquidity and resilience of the business.
Helenor Fisher, Marketing and business development director
Helenor comes to the Malin Group with over 15 years of business development and marketing experience, with a diverse range of skills spanning brand development, copywriting, design, digital and website development and marketing strategy. Prior to joining the Malin Group, she worked extensively in the Higher Education sector (Glasgow University and Glasgow Caledonian University), involving projects on a worldwide scale, as well as for Skills Development Scotland. Since joining the group, she has worked to build brand awareness, through the creation of digital and hard copy materials, combined with targeted advertising and content marketing.
Jennifer Ndlovu
Jenn is the EE & OD Manager for the Group focusing on HR change management, employee engagement, performance management and Bamboo HR (our HRIS system). Since joining Malin in 2020 Jenn has worked with several departments in a business improvement role alongside acting as Team Lead for the HR Support Team. Jenn has recently moved into her new role within HR full time where she will continue to champion health & wellbeing and a positive workplace culture.
Andrew Brown, Group QAHSE Manager
Andrew joined Malin in February 2021 with over 10 years’ QAHSE experience within commercial ship, defence ships, and oil & gas industries. Andrew successfully managed QAHSE on several large-scale projects including the British Aircraft Carriers, the Ethane Pipeline at Grangemouth, and vast amounts of LNG & LPG gas container ships in Asia and beyond. Having successfully managed all QAHSE operations at our Westway site for the past 3 years, Andrew was recently promoted to cover QAHSE for the full group, spanning the Renfrew and South Rotunda sites. He is driven by a desire to continually review, refine and improve our internal processes and procedures, to ensure the best quality of service and products for our clients, and safety and security for our colleagues.