General Manager, Europe, Survey & Robotics

Established in 1985, Ashtead Technology is a leading provider of equipment rental solutions, advanced underwater technologies and support services to the global offshore energy sector. Their specialist equipment, advanced technologies and support services enable customers to understand the subsea environment and manage offshore energy production infrastructure. Ashtead Technology’s heritage is in serving the oil and gas sector, and the company has successfully diversified in recent years, with offshore renewable energy now contributing a significant part of the company’s group revenue. Headquartered in the UK, the business employs more than 500 people. It serves its customers from eleven facilities in key offshore energy hubs in Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific. Ashtead Technology has expanded rapidly through eight strategic acquisitions since 2017 (Ace Winches being a recent example) and organic growth.

In November 2021, the business successfully completed its IPO, with company shares now trading on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. Moving forward, Ashtead Technology is anticipating achieving further significant growth both organically and inorganically.

With the recent and future anticipated growth of the business, Ashtead Technology’s Survey and Robotics division requires a General Manager of its UK-based business to lead a team and take the opportunity to shape the future of S&R solutions, where your leadership will be instrumental in driving innovation and growth in the European region.

Reporting to the Regional Director, Europe, you will be tasked with spearheading strategic and operational S&R efforts in the region. Taking a hands-on approach, the role focuses on achieving the financial goals outlined in the regional strategic plan, with a specific emphasis on revenue, gross margin growth and ROI. The significance of this responsibility is underscored by the fact that the European business contributes a significant proportion of the S&R division’s turnover.

You will be the primary contact point and communicator with Ashtead Technology’s major S&R clients at the most senior levels within the region. Working with these customers to develop ideas by which Ashtead Technology can create value and explore new operating models and contracting relationships in Europe.

With a rich history of serving the offshore marine energy, civil engineering, and construction sectors, Ashtead Technology’s S&R division takes pride in the breadth and capabilities of its survey & robotics rental fleet. The division goes beyond the conventional boundaries of an equipment rental business, standing out for its fully integrated service capability that develops tailored equipment solutions for various applications, water depths, and deployment scenarios.

• Extensive experience in customer-facing and commercially accountable roles, preferably within the subsea sector.
• Technically astute, combined with knowledge of subsea equipment and services supplied by Ashtead Technology.
• A track record of delivering revenue growth through sales and business development.
• Accountability for profit and loss (P&L).
• Demonstrated success in team leadership, management of organisational change and people development.
• Experience in effectively steering a business through both downturns and upturns.
• Hands-on involvement in integrating acquired businesses.

• The propensity to develop strong working relationships.
• Strong communication skills, including listening to customer and supplier objectives and needs and delivering key messaging on Ashtead Technology strategies and capabilities.
• Ability, attitude, and gravitas to interact with customer management teams.
• Show a broad and deep knowledge of the industry, sector, customer value levers and operating parameters in commercial discussions and negotiations.
• Commercial instinct and a thorough understanding of value levers in contracting.
• Ability to win business and secure new business consistently and effectively.
• A structured approach to problem-solving and a high degree of follow-through on detail in execution.
• A communicative and non-confrontational approach to conflict resolution.
• An open, honest, friendly, and enthusiastic style.