About Us

The MNTB is a voluntary body and a part of the UK Chamber of Shipping, the trade association for the UK shipping industry.

We work closely with shipping and ship management companies, nautical educational establishments and organisations, seafarer trade unions, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and industry organisations with an interest in seafarer education and training.

The MNTB provides the link to government departments and bodies involved with the shipping industry as well as those involved with the UK skills agenda and education and training developments.  This includes the Department for Transport (DfT), the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) , and UK education regulatory authorities and bodies.  The MNTB works closely with the Maritime Skills Alliance to achieve joint aims with partner organisations in the maritime sector.

We carry out a wide range of careers promotion activities through our ‘Careers at Seabrand.  This encompasses the full range of careers activity at sea and within the shipping industry ashore and the wider maritime sector..

The MNTB has a history stretching back to 1935, when it was founded as the Central Board for the Training of Officers in the Merchant Service.  Reconstituted in 1942, the MNTB is the authoritative centre of expertise and information on careers, education and training, and skill needs and issues in the industry.

Please click here for the MNTB Constitution

To deliver skilled seafarers to the Merchant Navy and the wider shipping industry both now and in the future by ensuring, the best training is delivered by the best organisations, to create the best seafarers.

The work of the MNTB is overseen by a board made up of representatives of shipping companies, seafarer unions, maritime educational establishments and interests. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and the Department for Transport have ‘assessor’ status at the Board, and the Maritime Skills Alliance attends Board meetings by invitation.

The Board’s Chairman is Mark Bobby

Mark Bobby is a Marine professional with over 30 years experience covering all aspects of the industry. Mark’s career started as a Engineering Cadet with Stirling Shipping ‘ Harrisons of Clyde’ leading to the rank of Chief Engineer serving on a variety of ships within the Stirling Shipping and James Fisher fleets before joining Gardline ltd in 2001 where he is employed as Marine Manager.

As well as being responsible for Gardline’s Marine Department he is a DNV-GL appointed member for the West Europe & Africa Technical Committee and Director at SSTG.

‘It gives me great pride to be the first Engineer appointed as Chairman at the MNTB and I look forward to continuing the brilliant work already underway and the challenges ahead.’

Mark was appointed MNTB chair in April 2019.

The Board consists of:

Employer Members

Gemma Griffin, DFDS
Ian Hampton, Stena Line
Dieter Jaenike, Viking Recruitment
Peter Selby, RFA
Tim Springett, UK Chamber of Shipping
Charles Golden, Carnival UK
Leanna Lakes, Red Funnel
Matthew Gordon, North Star Shipping
Tom Davis, Intrada Ships
Colin Barr, Seapeak

Seafarer Organisations

David Appleton,Nautilus International
Rachel Lynch,Nautilus International
Mark Carden,RMT representative
Darren Procter,RMT Representative

Educational Members

Simon Ashton, South Shields Marine School (IAMI)
Neil Atkinson, Head of Fleetwood Nautical Campus
Paul Little, Principal & CEO – City of Glasgow College
John Wyborn, Chair IAMI

Observer status

Harry Deans, Maritime & Coastguard Agency
Ajit Jacob, Maritime & Coastguard Agency
Kerry Hourihan, Department for Transport
David Tournay, Maritime Skills Alliance
Sarah Treseder, UK Chamber of Shipping
David Carter, Royal Navy