MCA: New Secretary of State's representative appointed – Fishupdate.com

THE Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has announced the appointment of the new Secretary of State’s Representative (SOSREP), after a competitive public recruitment process.

Hugh Shaw will take up his post on January 1, 2008 and will replace Robin Middleton who is retiring after more than eight years in the post.

Hugh has been Deputy to the SOSREP since 2004 and has been based in Aberdeen working with the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR, formerly DTI). In particular, his role has been to liaise with the offshore sector, exercising existing legislation and raising the level of preparedness to deal with actual or potential incidents.

Commenting on his appointment, Hugh said: “I am delighted and honoured to have been chosen for this key appointment and look forward to the exciting and challenging period that lies ahead. I am fully committed to working in co-operation with the maritime, offshore and salvage communities and all of the key Government Departments, Agencies and organisations likely to be involved in removing or reducing the risk to persons, property and the UK environment arising from marine accidents.”

Hugh has worked in the maritime industry for over thirty years, beginning his career as a deck officer with Mobil Shipping Company and then moving up the ranks within HM Coastguard in such roles such as watch keeping, sector manager and station Station and Sector officer. Hugh also served as district controller for the HM Coastguard, District Controller at Forth Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre prior to becoming and as the MCA a Counter Pollution and Salvage Officer for the Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Shipping Minister Jim Fitzpatrick commented: “I am very pleased that someone has been appointed, who already has such a wealth of knowledge of the role of SOSREP and we look forward to the benefit of Hugh’s experience and advice.

“We wish Robin Middleton a very happy retirement and extend our very best wishes to him for the future, and thank him for his eight years of tireless service to the Agency and to the maritime industry.”

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