Clare Urmston, the newly appointed chief executive of Anemoi Marine Technologies, is a force to be reckoned with. Her journey from a childhood encouraged by her mum to express her views and work hard, to leading a cutting-edge marine technology company, is nothing short of inspiring. Urmston’s story is a testament to the power of determination, hard work, and a bit of luck. “It also means that all I have, I have worked for – which I really appreciate and gives me a great sense of achievement and satisfaction,” she tells us, her voice brimming with pride.
Urmston’s career trajectory is a whirlwind of diverse experiences. From her days at the University of Sheffield to her stint with one of the big four accounting firms, she’s worn many hats. Her roles in retail, manufacturing, and healthcare have equipped her with a unique perspective, one that she’s now bringing to the maritime industry. “I liked the excitement of learning something new while helping to reduce the damage we are causing to our planet,” she says, her eyes lighting up at the challenge. And challenge it is. The maritime industry is a behemoth, slow to change and often resistant to innovation. But Urmston is undeterred. She’s seen the potential in wind-assist propulsion systems (WAPS) and she’s all in.
Anemoi Marine Technologies is at the forefront of this technology, developing patented rotor sail systems that harness wind power to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. It’s a game-changer, and Urmston is leading the charge. “Our goal is to save 100 tonnes of CO2 per day by installing 500 rotor sails by 2030,” she declares, her voice steady and sure. It’s an ambitious goal, but Urmston is no stranger to ambition. She’s already grown Anemoi from a small team of six to a bustling company of 75, with a significant number of women in the mix. “Encouraging women into maritime is a must,” she states, her passion for diversity and inclusion evident.
But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing for Urmston. She’s faced her share of challenges, including unacceptable behaviours at work. “Both scenarios, which were different in nature, led to significant stress and anxiety at the time,” she recalls. But she’s turned those experiences into fuel for her passion for creating safe, inclusive workspaces. “I am very passionate about supporting women and making sure the workspace is a safe space, especially that we do things right at Anemoi,” she asserts.
The maritime industry is at a crossroads. It’s grappling with complex regulatory frameworks, digitalisation, geopolitical tensions, and a shortage of seafarers. But Urmston sees opportunity in the chaos. “The maritime industry is facing increasingly complex regulatory frameworks, particularly around environmental compliance, and emissions reduction. At the same time, there is a push to digitalise,” she observes. And Anemoi is ready to meet these challenges head-on.
Urmston’s vision for Anemoi is clear. She wants to see the company grow, to see more rotor sails on the water, to see the maritime industry embrace this technology. But she also wants to see more women in the industry, more diversity, more inclusion. “We’re proud that in 2024, in our UK offices, 50% of managerial positions are held by women,” she shares, a smile spreading across her face.
So, what does the future hold for Anemoi and the maritime industry? Urmston is optimistic. “Anemoi is still a relatively new company and is growing rapidly, which fortunately has created lots of new positions and given people the opportunity to scope out their roles to the best they can to succeed,” she says. And with leaders like Urmston at the helm, the future looks bright indeed. The maritime industry is on the cusp of a revolution, and Anemoi Marine Technologies is leading the charge. So, buckle up, folks. It’s going to be one heck of a ride.