The SMS Group Invests in Cruise and Ferry – Darren Smith Joins the SMS Group in Southampton
Tuesday, 13th July 2021
The SMS Group is proudly building a Cruise and Ferry team by focusing 100% on the people – ensuring experience, credibility and capability are at the forefront of our service offering.
The SMS Group has an enviable reputation as an outfit, ship repair, and marine engineering specialist in the commercial marine, defence, and cruise sectors.
Darren Smith has joined The SMS Group this month as Head of Business Development with a clear focus on the Cruise and Ferry sector.
Darren, who is based in Southampton and has a global remit, brings a wealth of experience and contacts from over 30 years in the industry.
He joins Dan Lockyer, Head of Interiors, and Project Managers Nick Border and Chris Bailey.
Collectively encompassing over 100 years of genuine hands-on experience, the team has unparalleled industry expertise and experience and is uniquely positioned as the only marine interior outfitter within the ABP footprint in Southampton.
Dan Lockyer, Head of Interiors, said: “Darren’s appointment is strategic significance for SMS.
“Our outfit business has grown year-on-year for the last three years, and as the Cruise industry prepares for a global restart, the timing is just perfect.
“Our vision is timely, controlled, organic growth, and that will very much be front and centre of Darren’s objectives, which is something Darren has vast experience of in his years within the maritime industry. It’s the ideal situation.”
Darren Smith, Head of Business Development, added: “I’ve known Dan and the team for a long time. I look forward to working with them not only regarding Business Development but also in creating a new and exciting business. We’re building something special, and it’s great to be a part of it.”
In conclusion Nicholas Warren, Commercial Director, said: “As we conclude the 2020/21 fiscal year and realign our objectives for the 2021/22 period a targeted approach to outfit, within the Cruise and Ferry sector, is ‘mission critical’ for the business.
“Despite the pandemic, each of our eight locations has made a positive EBITDA contribution to the Group this year, which has resulted in us exceeding our budget by some margin.
“The time is right for investment, and as the Cruise industry restarts, it will move from being one of our many marine-centric verticals to being at the heart of our operations.”
Nicholas added: “We’ll make future investments in this space too.
“As our client list grows, we fully intend to increase awareness via industry events, marketing and further sales initiatives.
“All of this perfectly matches Darren’s profile, experience and his industry background and broad network of connections.”
The SMS Group provides 24/7 support, from eight locations in the UK.
For further comment, please contact Darren Smith, Head of Business Development, at : darren.smith@sms-marine.co.uk or on 07909 211484.
Visit www.sms-marine.co.uk for more details.
