Leading the fi ght against international pirates


IN an ideal world, Dryad Maritime Intelligence Services wouldn’t need to exist. But while piracy continues to pose such a massive threat to commercial and private shipping, it’s a good job that it does.


The Portsmouth-based business was formed in 2008 by former Royal Navy offi cer Graeme Gibbon Brooks. During his 13 years in the Royal Navy, where he served as a Principal Warfare Offi cer and Mine Warfare Clearance Diver, he had witnessed fi rst- hand the impact that a lack of commercially-available intelligence was having on the world’s merchant fl eet. Identifying there was a void between naval protection and the merchant fl eet’s abilities to mitigate the risks themselves, Graeme set up Dryad Maritime to provide the intelligence that would enable crews to protect themselves better against the rising level of crimes at sea. Today more than 5,000 vessels at sea in the commercial shipping, super yacht and leisure industries receive Dryad’s daily fl ash incident and advisory reports which help to safeguard the commercial interests of countless organisations worldwide and contribute directly to the Safety of Lives at Sea (SOLAS).


Ex-Navy


From a one-man band in 2008, the company has since quadrupled its turnover and now employs 25 people, almost all of whom are ex-Navy. Karen Jacques, the COO, is a former Navy navigator and has signifi cant insight into the effective presentation of information to offi cers on watch. EMC’s Giselle Barrowcliffe has been working as an adviser to the company since early 2010, assisting the management team during its major growth phase which has recently included relocation to a new high-tech operations centre which is manned 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Dryad’s ability to provide high grade intelligence with military precision and style, but with a commercial focus, has attracted many high profi le clients from commercial shipping, world-leading


The new high tech operations centre


commodities companies to oil and gas providers and super yachts. The company is also adviser to The Volvo Ocean Race, the most prestigious round-the-world crewed yacht race in the world.


Giselle said: “As is often the ‘’


the key to effective planning and monitoring.”


Giselle has helped the


board to introduce processes which ensure that the fi nancial progress of the company is fully understood. The company


We are all exceptionally


case in a high growth situation, cash has been a focus of attention. But the fact that the majority of the board are ex- Naval has made implementing the necessary processes more straightforward than in many companies.


“It seems that military training, coupled with the right commercial outlook, may be


keen to avoid surprises business plan leads into an annual budget process. She said: “Of course, in such a fast moving business, the budget is really just a line in the sand and therefore quarterly forecasts are also used. In addition there is a weekly sales review which updates the company sales funnel and a cash review including a detailed look at


Giselle Barrowcliffe


debtors and creditors. This, coupled with comprehensive monthly management accounts and a process to review all the information, has been the key to controlled growth of the company. “It has also reassured everyone involved that when decisions are taken, they are affordable and fi t with the company’s strategy and tactics. “We are all exceptionally keen to avoid surprises, either good or bad, and having these processes in place means that Dryad is fully equipped to deal with high-class problems such as servicing new transformational contracts.”


PRACTICAL ADVICE FOR MEDWAY BUSINESSES


EMC has linked up with the Innovation Centre Medway to run a series of free breakfast seminars. Members of our team are leading the seminars which are designed to provide business owner-managers with the sort of practical tips and advice that can be rapidly implemented. The programme got under way on 7 February when Martin Stanton presented a two hour workshop on achieving more sales at better margins. The next seminar, on Tuesday 3 April, will address how to root out hidden costs, while on Tuesday 29 May the subject will be effective cash fl ow management. Ray Wynne, the Head of Innovation Development at Innovation Centre Medway, said: “We want to give developing businesses in Medway every opportunity to grow, and that means providing top-notch support on the doorstep.


“EMC’s menu of very practical seminars, based around hard-earned experience, fi ts the objective perfectly.” Desmond High, EMC director based in Maidstone, added: “Our six-person team in Kent has something ridiculous like over 200 years of practical board level business experience and this is an ideal way of passing that experience across to the next generation of business owners and managers. “We are extremely impressed at how Medway is nurturing and facilitating developing businesses and were delighted to be asked by the Innovation Centre to put forward a seminar programme.” The Innovation Centre Medway, located in Maidstone Road, Chatham, provides high-quality serviced offi ce space that offers businesses or entrepreneurs an impressive corporate image without high costs. It currently supports more than 50 businesses.


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