New appointment and new year expansion plans for Bachmann Group
Going into 2016 with over 40 years of maritime services management behind their combined activities, the Bachmann Group have announced an important new appointment to their staff, and are preparing to bring their Nuwave personnel and training facility under the Bachmann corporate banner from January 1st.
The group's CEO Nick Saul said, “at the start of the new year, the names will change from Nuwave Personnel to Bachmann Recruitment, and Nuwave Training to Bachmann Training. At the same time a new division named Bachmann Crew will be established to manage the ever increasing client requests for Crew Management.”
“To oversee these changes and to assist with the more general Bachmann Group operations, we have appointed Captain John McNeill to the position of Interim General Manager for our UK operations.”
Captain McNeill has enjoyed a career spanning over 50 years in the marine industry from starting out in 1965 as a cadet with the UK Royal Fleet Auxiliary, and obtaining his Master's License in 1978.
In 1980 he was promoted to become one of the youngest masters on the P & O Normandy ferries crossing the English channel, and after spells in command of several British ferries he came ashore in 1999 to manage 10 vessels for P&O Stena Line.
In 2001 Capt. McNeill was lured into the cruising world with the start up of Island Cruises, and took command of the 40,000 gross ton passenger liner 'Island Escape.' In 2006 he joined Regent Seven Seas in charge of 'Navigator,' a 33,000 ton, 490 passenger luxury cruise liner. Under his watchful eye the ship soon forged a reputation for the highest level of personal service and attention to passenger comforts.
John McNeill accepted the position of interim manager for Bachmann after working in a consultancy role for the company with the CMA CGM container fleet in Marseilles, so he comes to the job with a ready understanding of its multi faceted operations.
The dedicated recruitment, training and crewing operation which will be under John's management (and the Bachmann banner) is truly a 'one stop shop' for all vessel owners requiring a fully integrated crew management service. This covers everything from recruitment and bespoke training, through to certification and scheduling, arranging travel, payroll services, and dealing with every day employment issues such as grievance and disciplinary procedures.
Based conveniently in a modern fully equipped facility on the English south coast at Lee on Solent near Southampton, the operation is fully staffed by seasoned maritime professionals who run courses on a variety of subjects such as STCW 2010 (including firefighting, first aid, security, crisis management etc.) and Navigation training (including ECDIS, bridge management, anti-piracy and safety-at-sea.)
Other course specialities include electrical, catering and food management, with the on-site training team having around 100 years combined multi discipline experience between them, both at sea and ashore.
And just as importantly, bespoke courses can be structured to suit particular crew or vessel requirements, which fits perfectly with Bachmann's activities in the superyacht world, such as ownership structuring, technical/commercial management and crew employment.
John McNeill said; “My objectives as captain of 'Navigator' were very similar to the luxury hospitality service that the superyacht industry expects, she was a relatively small cruise liner offering a very high level of personal service to the clients. One of the passengers on leaving the ship commented, 'the enjoyable experience is retained in the memory long after the cost is forgotten!”
“That” said John,“ is the mantra that we shall keep in mind for the yacht management and crewing services we provide. The experience of owners and guests who spend time on a yacht, is a direct reflection of the professionalism and customer focus provided by its captain and crew.”
For further details call +44 (0) 1481 731059 or email info@bachmannhr.com
