Tim Springett, Policy Director for Employment, Occupational Health & Safety, and Legal Issues at the UK Chamber of Shipping, finds his work fascinating as he tackles a variety of interesting projects. A particularly rewarding aspect of his role is contributing to the development of international law. Although Tim entered the shipping industry by chance, he considers himself fortunate to have met the right mentors who provided guidance, support, and inspiration throughout his career journey.
He hopes to see a transformation in the industry’s safety culture, as too many incidents continue to recur and urges managers to remember that their primary duty is to support those who report to them. Tim concludes the interview with an inspiring quote from Bob Dylan’s 1965 song “It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)”: “He who is not busy being born is busy dying.” This line highlights the importance of continuous growth and renewal—a powerful reminder to stay engaged with life rather than becoming complacent or stuck in old ways.
SAFETY4SEA: How did it come about that you joined shipping industry and your field of expertise specifically?
Tim Springett: It was totally by chance – I had little awareness of the maritime industry when I started my career and I’ve only ever been to sea as a tourist. I’ve been very fortunate to be able to specialise in fields that I’m interested in and enjoy.
S4S: What about your current job/ role most excites you and why?
T.Spr.: You’re always learning! No two days are the same. There is mix of short, medium and long term objectives across a wide range of subjects. The most rewarding part is making international law, particularly at the ILO. There aren’t many jobs that give such opportunities to make a real difference.
S4S: Who is/was the most influential person/mentor to you & why?
T.Spr.: I’ve been lucky enough to have some outstanding mentors both within the UK Chamber of Shipping and externally. Captain Joe Cox from the Chamber of Shipping of America was a highly able and impressive shipowner group spokesperson in my earliest days of attending meetings at the International Labour Organisation (ILO) from whom I learned a great deal.
S4S: What is the best and what was the worst piece of advice you’ve ever been given and why?
T.Spr.: Best – join the company pension scheme as soon as I was eligible. Worst – get your hair cut! People said in order to advance I needed to conform. I’m still ignoring them.
S4S: What is the most worthwhile career investment (in energy, time, money) you’ve ever made?
T.Spr.: For me it was study outside of work for my legal qualifications and my Masters in International Maritime Law. These were big commitments that paid off by increasing my knowledge and confidence.
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?
T.Spr.: Advice to take – pick something you enjoy and make yourself as good at it as you can. Work is such a major component of our lives so it should be enjoyable and provide a sense of achievement.
S4S: In the last five years, what new belief, behavior, or habit has most improved your business life?
T.Spr.: Remote working. As well as improving my own productivity and quality of life, I’ve been able to recruit and retain outstanding people who could not have taken the jobs offered without flexibility. I don’t agree that home working is not proper work. We all got homework at school – it felt real at the time!
S4S: What would you like to change in the current maritime landscape and your area of expertise specifically and why?
T.Spr.: To see a transformation in the safety culture of the industry. Too many incident types are occurring on repeat and the lessons need to be learned and become embedded. Top management in companies needs to empower seafarers to raise safety concerns and to act upon them. Managers must remember that their primary duty is to support those who report to them.
S4S: What is your personal motto?
T.Spr.: I’ll borrow it from a Bob Dylan song – He who is not busy being born is busy dying.
The views presented are only those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAFETY4SEA and are for information sharing and discussion purposes only.
