Colleagues of new Braemar Shipping Services chairman Nigel Payne are confident the UK shipbroker will benefit from the appointment.
The former chief executive of online gambling firm Sportingbet is described as "charismatic", "incisive" and "massively experienced".
The chartered accountant joins on 1 May, replacing outgoing chairman Ronald Series and completing a management reorganisation that saw James Gundy become CEO on 1 January.
The new man has no known shipping experience, but is a quick learner.
Daniel Rabie, chief executive of London-listed software firm GetBusy, first came across Payne when he was recommended as a director as the company floated four years ago.
"I did a very thorough process, took about six to eight months, and he was the strongest candidate," Rabie told TradeWinds.
"He is clearly very experienced as a director."
"[This is] really nicely complemented by his ability to create relationships with executives, to build effective strategies and make sure he has a solid understanding of what makes the business successful so he can add value," Rabie said.
The GetBusy boss knows Payne put real effort into understanding the sector.
Good grasp of his companies
"There are specific nuances which are different to a general business strategy. I really appreciated that," he added.
This ability to understand a company quickly is echoed by Rod Waldie, chief executive of London-listed legal services firm Gateley, which took Payne on as chairman when it floated in 2015.
"He's got a very good grasp of the business," he told TradeWinds.
"I know that sounds like a really simple thing to say, but he's not from a legal services background, in the same way he's not from a shipping background. He's highly regarded and much respected across our group."
Homework completed
Waldie says Payne will have done his homework on Braemar.
"I had a very constructive conversation with one of the directors at Braemar when they were doing their due diligence on Nigel," he said.
"I know that the due diligence has been done properly both ways as you'd expect, and it was lovely to be able to say to her I would have no reservation at all about recommending Nigel for a chair role. He's first class."
Rabie said Payne has been a helpful guide as to where GetBusy should be focusing its energy and what will get the best returns and results.
And he explained that the director understands short-term implications while taking a long-term view, he added.
"I would have ample confidence he would understand shipping quickly," Rabie said.
"He was very honest with us through this [recruitment] process. Braemar is a company he's admired for a long time and it's a space he wants to be in and believes he can add a lot of value to. We always supported that."
Payne is also chairman of private company Green Man Gaming Holdings, and a director at Ascot Racecourse Betting and Gaming and mobile-game firm Kwalee.
Rabie is not worried Payne is stretching himself too thin. "He's never not supported us in the right way. We believe that will continue," he said.
"He's very charismatic, very friendly, and he's got a very strong presence in a meeting."
Waldie became Gateley chief executive in 2020, but had been a partner at the firm for 10 years. He admits to knowing Payne better now after having worked alongside him for a year.
"He's been invaluable to me in many respects," he said.
The voice of experience
Waldie explained that Payne has been the voice of experience as he took on his first CEO role.
"He's very happy to take a call any time to chat through something. He's remarkably quick at coming back to you," Waldie said.
This was backed up by Rabie.
"He's very available despite being busy. He's always first to respond; sometimes people take that for granted," he said.
"It means a lot, if something comes up and we need a response."
Rabie said Payne is very strong on compliance, having a background in auditing. He is chair of GetBusy's remuneration committee.
But he added the chairman's abilities go well beyond that, in "supporting culture and creating culture".
"It's that which has made him so successful for us," he added.
