Galbraiths has made two key director-level hires on its sale and purchase and projects team, and the shipbroker has quietly set up a specialised tanker desk as it plots further expansion.
Former Affinity (Shipping) partner Andrew Finn has joined the broker’s sale and purchase arm after his surprise departure from the Richard Fulford-Smith-led shop in February.
Galbraiths said Finn has been credited with some of the major tanker projects over the past decade, adding that his employment builds on the company’s recent expansions.
Head of sale and purchase Ed Royle said: “We are extremely excited to welcome Andy to the team, his reputation speaks for itself and it is a testament to the quality of the Galbraiths team that we have attracted someone of Andy’s star quality.”
Emissions focus
Royle also revealed that Galbraith’s has taken on Kenneth Aasland, who has joined the company from Siglar Carbon where he was chief commercial officer.
Before he joined Siglar, Aasland had worked in chartering with Teekay and as a senior oil trader and advisor at Equinor trading and KazMunayGas.
Royle said this new hire reflects many brokers’ focus on emissions as Galbraiths looks to widen its breadth of service placing emphasis on Aasland’s industry experience in these roles as a “real advantage”.
Galbraiths chief executive Bjorn Andersen said the two employees are a part of a wider growth and diversification strategy of the company.
“We are very excited to bring Kenneth and Andy into our growing platform as we look to expand both our reach and quality of service,” he said.
He said the current shift toward environment, social and governance (ESG) factors means the company needs to adapt its business.
Anderson added: “The calibre that Andy and Kenneth bring with wide ranging experience across shipping will help us to delivery this.”
Silent start-up
Royle and Anderson also detailed that Galbraiths has recently added a specialised tanker team in London in what the CEO described as “a signal of Galbraiths quiet but effective expansion”.
This is kicking off with three brokers – two internal moves and bringing in former James Curran, who was formerly with Braemar ACM Shipbrokers.
But Galbraiths expects to expand it in the coming months.
Anderson and his S&P head said there is more growth to come.
“The transition to a low carbon economy will transform our industry in the coming years so we have a growing focus here to ensure we stay ahead of these developments,” Anderson said.
“We believe we are well placed with a strong balance sheet and we are razor focused on meeting the ever changing demands of our clients.”
Royle said the company has a strong forward book of business and a growing pipeline of projects in development.
“So we are focused on building upon these successes and actively seeking brokers who can bring new dynamics to the team and company as a whole,” he said.
