Barbara Fletcher News

Representatives from all areas of the shipping industry gathered in London on September 27, to congratulate the highest scoring students in the 2001 Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ISC) examinations. This year, more than 1,100 students sat the examinations in 80 centers around the world. Eighty-two percent of the students were from overseas, illustrating the international appeal of the ICS. "It is very encouraging that so many students, from all corners of the world, have access to maritime related education and training. Also encouraging is the diversity of their backgrounds including accountancy firms, ship agents, oil companies, shipowners, government bodies, ship managers, insurance companies, port authorities and shipbrokers," says Barbara Fletcher, director at the ICS.

Alan Phillips replaced Barbara Fletcher as director of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers. Phillips officially took up his new role on December 1. Joining the Navy straight from school, Phillips gained experience as a captain of a variety of vessels, including HMS Phoebe and HMS Endurance. He has also been involved in a number of maritime incidents including the search and rescue operation following the Piper Alpha disaster. Prior to taking voluntary retirement form the Navy in 2001, he held policy-making positions with NATO and the Royal Marines. After 13 years of service, Barbara Fletcher is retiring at the end of December. Although she hopes to maintain her links with the Institute, Barbara plans to pursue a consultancy role in the shipping industry.

Young people are queuing up to join the U.K. shipping industry, according to Felixstowe-based ITS Training Services. in particular, entry-level positions. Over recent months, ITS has been busy building awareness of the range of careers available in the shipping industry. Not only has it attended career conventions at schools and colleges, it has organised a number of workshops giving students an insight into daily activities in the shipping industry such as dealing with bills of lading and customs clearance. "The response from students has been very encouraging," says Barbara Fletcher, consultant director of strategy and development at ITS and former director of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers. up an online database of candidates seeking employment in the UK shipping industry.