The Chief Executive Officer of Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) will leave in April 2016 after two years leading the organisation.

Tom Docherty, who joined CMAL in April 2014, is leaving to pursue a number of different opportunities, including personal projects and plans which he set aside at the time of joining CMAL.

CMAL owns the ferries, ports and harbours and infrastructure for vital ferry services serving the west coast of Scotland.

During his tenure, Mr. Docherty has overseen the award of contracts for three innovative vessels for the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service, with the third diesel electric passenger and vehicle hybrid ferry, MV Catriona, launching in December and two 100 metre diesel/LNG ferries, costing £97 million for delivery in 2018. As well as harbour and ferry terminal improvements in Brodick, Wemyss Bay, Kerrera and Gourock, he also handed over the £42 million MV Loch Seaforth to CalMac Ferries Ltd in October 2014 for service on the Stornoway to Ullapool route. Mr. Docherty has also been involved in setting up the tripartite Vessel Replacement and Deployment Strategy Group with Transport Scotland and CalMac Ferries Ltd to ensure that the aims of the Scottish Ferries Plan are achieved.

Erik Østergaard, Chair of CMAL said: “The board and staff at CMAL would like to thank Tom for his hard work and commitment during an important time in the organisation’s history. We are sad to see Tom leaving and wish him every success.

“Tom has made a strong contribution – taking the organisation forward and ensuring that our ferries, ports and harbours are fit for purpose. He has left an experienced management team, who will continue to build on his work. The search for a new chief executive at CMAL has begun and I am confident CMAL will continue to grow to develop and enhance the infrastructure required to serve Scotland’s communities with vital ferry services.”

Tom Docherty said: “It has been a privilege to lead the team at CMAL and consolidate the organisation as a key player in the delivery of the lifeline ferry and port infrastructure in Scotland. I have enjoyed my time working with the communities served by the CalMac ferries and have gained a far greater appreciation of how important the lifeline ferry service is to them. I thank everyone for the welcome and hospitality afforded to me on my visits and trips across the islands.

“It’s been an absolute pleasure to be part of the rekindling and re-establishment of shipbuilding on the Clyde in Port Glasgow and I wish Ferguson Marine Engineering Limited every success for the future.

I wish the hard working staff at CMAL good fortune and a fair wind as they embark on ambitious programmes of harbours development and fleet renewals plans. I leave behind a talented and highly capable group of individuals, who will continue to strengthen CMAL’s role.”

Tom Docherty will leave during April 2016 and plans to continue in his role at CMAL until then. CMAL has started the recruitment search for a new chief executive and will advertise the role later in November.

Anyone interested in applying can view the candidate specifications here.


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