Shipbroker Braemar’s Australia managing director James a’Beckett has resigned from the company and is making a move over to the shipowning side of the business.
Dry cargo specialist a’Beckett confirmed to TradeWinds that he is leaving the company “imminently” for a new opportunity.
He has headed up Braemar’s Melbourne and Perth operations since 2005 and said that through the different guises of the company he has worked for the organisation for around 30 years — listing time on his CV at Seawise and Bridgewater Chartering.
The Melbourne-based broker said his move from Braemar was “very amicable” and he described the broker as “a fantastic company” to work for.
One London broker described a’Beckett as “the heartbeat of that office” and said he would be missed.
The exiting Australian MD said Braemar’s Nick Hargreaves, David Eaves in Perth and Singapore-based Vaughan English would be the key leads in the business going forward.
He declined to say where he is heading except to mention that he will be working for a principal.
Sources in London suggested this is Japanese capesize owner Daiichi Chuo Kisen Kaisha.
TradeWinds has contacted Braemar management in London for comment on a’Beckett’s move and they referred comments to English.
In March, Braemar saw two of its senior deepsea tanker brokers step down.
Following the decision of colleague Nick Edwards to step down, David Collins, the global head of tankers, also opted to leave the company.
Edwards is widely understood to be joining rival shop Ifchor Galbraiths.
Chief executive James Gundy stepped in to run the tanker desk.
Braemar, which has seen a number of key departures and been under the spotlight during a prolonged share suspension period, has said it has senior brokers whom it is bringing through as its next generation of business leaders.
