Page 55: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (September 2017)

Cammell Laird

Cammell Laird chief estimator Jim Clark.

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Clark Celebrates 60

Cammell Laird Chief Estimator Jim Clark, 76, has become one of the U.K.’s longest serving Chief Esti- mators after clocking up 60 years’ in the ship repair industry and delivering more than 11,000 projects. He has delivered estimates for shiprepair projects worth circa $130 billion in today’s currency, and his in? uence at Cammell Laird has also been credited for helping secure the biggest shipbuilding project in the U.K. for a generation, the $194 million Sir David Attenborough polar research vessel, currently under construction.

“There are immense complexities within the role of a Chief Estimator who essentially needs to prepare quotes at a lower cost than competitors, most likely within a shorter time period, while most importantly retaining a margin of pro? t,” said Cammell Laird chief executive John Syvret. “We are very fortunate to still have Jim driving our Estimations Department. The shipbuilding industry is world renowned for its un- predictability and turbulent nature, but despite this, throughout his 60 years’ of service Jim has only ever been out of work for a fortnight.”

Clark started his career at Grayson Rollo & Clover in 1957 embarking on a ? ve-year mechanical ? tting ap- prenticeship.

In 1975, he was offered a Chief Estimators position at

Blue Star Line, a role which he enjoyed for nine years before being offered a position at the ? rm’s head of? ce in London. However, he chose to remain in Mersey- side and join a young, vibrant company called Seaforth

Welding in 1984.

After Seaforth Welding closed its doors in 1986 Jim moved back to Birkenhead and Wright & Beyer later acquired by Cammell Laird Group PLC, which fell into administration following a down period for the company. Clark then took up a position at Northwest- ern Shiprepairers and Shipbuilders Ltd where he has remained for the last 17 years as the ? rm reemerged as Cammell Laird Shiprepairers and Shipbuilders Ltd. “I have thoroughly enjoyed every step of the journey, and each and every company I have been involved with throughout my 60 years of work,” said Clark. “The maritime industry is my passion and I have been able to fully immerse myself in it ever since I was an ap- prentice.” www.marinelink.com 55

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