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 and the engineering processes that lie behind it. He joined the Malin Group in 2002, having graduated from Glasgow University with a BEng in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering. Lindsay brings an array of technical skills, particularly in the area of computational analysis including Finite Element, mooring analysis and hydrodynamic analysis. This is combined with extensive practical experience loading ships and barges across Europe.
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.
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.
lindsey jessop, md, john tracey specialist welding
Lindsey joined the Malin Group in 2020, bringing a wealth of experience developed across her international career to date, as well as a BA (Hons) in European business Studies with Spanish. Her areas of specialism include business development, business start-ups, and most recently 8 years in the Maritime Industry working as Chief Officer on yachts, project managing refit periods. Lindsey is a resourceful, decisive team player, who is well experienced in risk management; she is also adept at building strategic relationships and developing talent. Her new role as General Manager for John Tracey Specialist Welding, draws on her varied skills and experience. She is also currently finalising an MSc in Sustainability and Environmental Studies at Strathclyde University, which will further enhance the skills she has to offer the JTSW team and wider Malin Group going forward.
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.
jamie bowie, engineering 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 Engineering 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.
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.
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.
Gordon sloan, technical Director
Gordon is a time served engineer with extensive experience in the fields of heavy engineering (Motherwell Bridge Group) & marine operations (Henry Abram & Sons Limited). His specific areas of his experience include: Structural Design, Heavy Lift Operations, Transportation (Road & Marine), Seafastening Design, Marine Superintendence, Marine Procedures & Operations. His extensive experience has been gained travelling throughout the UK and overseas experience across Europe, Israel and Canada.
Alan Hamilton, Group QAHSE Director
Alan is the Malin Group QHSE Director, as well as a lead Auditor ISO 9001 and a Health and Safety Manager with NEBOSH qualified, with solid background in Health, Safety and Environment. Alan comes to Malin following a military career of 22 years , where he gained the rank of Warrant Officer within the Infantry, managing high risk activities around the world. He is also a qualified instructor/assessor, delivering IOSH, First Aid at Work/ Fire Safety and a Confined Space Rescue Operator Instructor within the Group. He has successfully established site projects under the Construction Design Management (CDM) 2015 and is qualified under the CITB Site Manager Safety Training Scheme.