Issued 04 April 2018

The International Salvage Union has selected Roger Evans as its new Secretary General. He will succeed Mark Hoddinott who is retiring later this year after six years in the post. It follows a comprehensive recruitment process which attracted a strong field of well-qualified candidates.

Mr Evans is expected to join ISU during July to begin the handover with Mr Hoddinott before assuming the role at some point in the fourth quarter.

Mr Evans is a former master mariner who sailed on a variety of vessels including reefers, bulk carriers, container and general cargo ships. Mr Evans came ashore in 1985 to join Smit International and has served the Dutch offshore, towage and salvage firm in a number of roles including as contracts manger in London for Smit International, senior contracts manager for Smit Salvage in the Netherlands and, since 2013, as Manager for Smit Salvage in the UK.

Commenting on the appointment, ISU President, Charo Coll, said: “ISU is very fortunate to
have secured Roger Evans as its new Secretary General. He brings vast experience of salvage and is well known and trusted by the key stakeholders in the shipping industry. We look forward to welcoming him into ISU later in the year. Mark Hoddinott has been a great servant of the ISU and has done a tremendous job in professionalising the organisation; expanding the membership; building up its relationships and making progress on many issues. He will be a hard act to follow but we know Roger is the right person to take on that challenge.”

Mr Evans said: “I am really pleased to be joining ISU and look forward to representing the interests of the Members as we tackle the issues and challenges facing the industry. I have been at the “sharp end” of the salvage business for more than two decades and I know the importance of the role the ISU plays and voice that it has in the shipping industry. It will be a privilege to play my part in leading ISU.”

The ISU is the sole global body representing the interests of its members who are active marine salvage and wreck removal contractors. The secretary general is responsible to the ISU Executive Committee for the management of the organisation and the delivery of its objectives. The secretary general works closely with the ISU’s communications and legal advisers and, together with the ISU’s President and Vice President, they form the ISU’s management team.

The post has been re-named as “Secretary General” to bring it into line with the practice of other similar trade associations.