In our special column this month, we are glad to host an interview with Ashley Nicholson MBE, Marine Director, Port of Tyne, who is excited to work in the port environment where she is witnessing a real change with respect to diversity issues. In addition, she would like to see a more significant step change in how we approach attracting skills to the industry.
Sharing her personal story, she admits that setting achievable goals has helped her a lot while all decisions made up to now, either good or bad, were challenges that made her a stronger, more resilient and ambitious person.
SAFETY4SEA: How did it come about that you joined shipping industry and your field of expertise specifically?
Ashley Nicholson: I started my career from university – and purely by chance. I was not enjoying my initial degree in mathematics and wanted to study a more practical course. After a short discussion, my tutor suggested nautical science and that was that! I spent a short period of time at sea, working on cruise ship, before embarking on a shore-side role as a VTS Officer (air traffic control for vessels). I loved working in the port environment. I worked hard to gain several promotions and qualifications along the way to progress my career.
S4S: What about your current job/ role most excites you and why?
A.N.: The maritime industry is going through a very exciting period of change, with technological and environmental challenges ahead, and the potential to make a real difference to the industry and the region is great. This really excites me. If we embrace change, we can influence the impact through leadership. The Port of Tyne is an industry leader and that’s what attracted me to my current role as Marine Director. Also, there is a real drive to increase diversity in the maritime industry, which I am personally invested in and take great pride in being part of the drive to change. I love working with young people looking to join the industry and that’s the primary reason I help to champion the Women in Maritime campaign.
S4S: When you think of the word successful who’s the first person who comes to mind and why?
A.N.: There is no one person who comes to mind. I think all people are successful in their own ways. Everyone I have worked with have all demonstrated success in very different ways.
S4S: Who is/was the most influential person/mentor to you & why?
A.N.: I simply cannot pick out one person. I have worked for, and with, many excellent and inspiring people. I am relatively new to the organization, but my present line manager provides an ambitious and amazing energy, while supporting my own goals, as well as ambitions for the business. Equally, my previous line manager, and mentor for many years, was an instrumental part in encouraging me to push myself into the Harbour Master community. He supported me throughout the earlier years of my development, with a healthy amount of challenge too.
S4S: What is the best and what was the worst piece of advice you’ve ever been given and why?
A.N.: The best piece of advice… to believe in myself and always give 100%. I’m not sure I have a particularly bad piece of advice. I’m probably more inclined to say that all advice is usually given with good intentions, so while it may not always be correct, it is worth listening nevertheless.
S4S: What is the most worthwhile career investment (in energy, time, and money) you’ve ever made?
A.N.: Relationships, both professionally and personally. And always making time to listen and build trusting relationships has helped me achieve great things. An individual can be good, but with support from other good people, can be great. This is the cornerstone of any good relationship.
S4S: If you could give a piece of advice to your 18-year-old-self one thing, what would it be and why? What piece of advice should you ignore?
A.N.: Looking back, I do not think I would give an 18 year old me any advice that would drastically change my path. The path I have taken has made me the person I am today. Good or bad decision or challenge overcome has built strength and made me a more resilient and ambitious person.
S4S: In the last five years, what new belief, behavior, or habit has most improved your business life?
A.N.: I would say setting achievable goals both personally and for the teams has helped with my own continuous improvement.
S4S; What would you like to change in the current maritime landscape and your area of expertise specifically and why?
A.N.: While the maritime industry is steeped in history, which should never be forgotten, I would like to see a more significant step change in how we approach attracting skills to the industry.
S4S: What is your personal motto?
A.N.: Always do what is right, not was is easy or popular.
The views presented hereabove are only those of the author and do not necessarily those of SAFETY4SEA and are for information sharing and discussion purposes only.
