Team
The team to date
Phase 1 has involved a diverse range of professions and capabilities. Led by James Labouchere, the work was supported by individuals across racing yacht, Formula 1 and aircraft industries, bringing learning from Scaled Composites, Airbus Future Projects and BAe Corporate Jets (subsequently Raytheon Corporate Jets). The team has included the former head of aerodynamics at BAe Woodford, chief aerodynamicist of the F1 turboprop, certification manager of the Hawker 800XP and former director of the Royal Aircraft Establishment. They have led the successful certification of various aircraft types and been appointed multiple awards. Valued corporate supporters have included Green Marine, Blue Bear Systems Research, Cobham, and Houlder (formerly Seaspeed).
The team going forward
Many of the Phase 1 team are shareholders and highly motivated in providing ongoing services and transfer of expertise. This captures all the experience and know-how that has cumulated from the technology development and both Ocean and GULL UAV seaplane programmes to date.
The Phase 1 team has been augmented for Phase 2 with the core competencies across aircraft and business development professions, through development, manufacture, certification and marketing. These include a former PWC partner, lead Augusta-Westland manufacturing expert and Brown & Root project manager, who will detail plans for commercialisation in Phase 3. Hamble Aerostructures (formerly GE Aerostructures) will be central in development of the airframe and its manufacturing process.
Building marketing capability, Ocean is starting work with a long-standing investor with a background in marketing across luxury automotive, aviation and marine sectors. A team that designs for McLaren Special Projects and prepares marketing material for McLaren sports cars brings cutting edge promotion technology to the business.
Development and detail aircraft requirements are guided by Vancouver-based Harbour Air, the largest seaplane operator in North America which has declared its intent to replace most if its fleet with Ocean seaplanes. Bringing tropical operating experience, further input comes from the former MD of Trans Maldivian Airways, which is the largest seaplane operator in the world, who also anticipates becoming an Ocean seaplane user for new business.
Recruitment
Ocean welcomes all approaches with regard to the expanding requirements of the company, at all levels.