New Finance Director for Motive Offshore Group

Marine equipment specialist Motive Offshore Group, which is headquartered in Boyndie, Aberdeenshire, has seen a record turnover for 2018 and is set to exceed its projected 20% increase on the previous year.

To support founding directors James Gregg and Dave Acton with their ongoing growth strategy for the business, John Brebner has joined the management team as finance director as Motive plans to start on the acquisition trail in 2019.

Mr. Brebner, who has been a non-executive director on Motive’s board since February last year, is a finance specialist with 34 years banking experience and is a seasoned advisor to SME and corporate businesses. He is currently also a non-executive director with Aberdeen Harbour Board, president of Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce and supports the board of local charity, Befriend a Child.

He said: “I have known James and Dave for a number of years and, although they have seen some tough times, I was hugely impressed with how they came through the other side, so I was very keen to become more involved and support them as the business is poised for further success.

“Motive is hungry for growth, so we will actively be sourcing potential acquisitions in the new year and my role will be to support that process and help to integrate new teams and implement change management programmes. The business is posting record results and is forecast for more growth so 2019 will be a strategic year for the Motive team.”

Facing risk of closure in 2014/2015, the directors successfully traded out of the issues and through careful restructuring, survived the downturn and turned the business towards a more financially secure position.

Managing director, Dave Acton, said: “John brings a lifetime of corporate finance experience which will be invaluable as we move into the next stage of company growth. He fits very well into the Motive culture and he is fully on board with our strategy to expand. His expertise is the final piece that was missing to allow us to forge ahead with our expansion and acquisition plans for the new year.”

Motive Offshore Group specialises in the manufacture, rental and servicing of high-quality marine equipment and associated services to the onshore and offshore oil and gas and marine industries. 

Motive now employs 94 staff at its base in Boyndie and office in Dyce, Aberdeen. The company also launched in Houston this year and ongoing major contract wins in the UAE for Motive FZC has resulted in a significant growth of its workforce.

Motive Offshore was recently announced as a finalist for Company of the Year in the Subsea UK Awards.