He is a performance orientated person who uses his experience acquired over many years in the Ship Repair and its marine related industries. Chris has the ability to quickly assess the potential of a company within its operating environment and where possible develop that potential through expansion and diversification. An unbending approach to establishing strong customer confidence has led to achieving a sound reputation for commitment to deliver while being technically and commercially innovative.

• Led the Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard (ASRY) from obscurity to becoming one of the main Ship Repair companies in the world.
• Diversified the company’s interests towards the offshore industry through the establishment of a very successful Offshore rig repair division, ultimately contributing to 40% of annual sales.
• Oversaw the expansion of the yard facilities with the introduction of two of the largest slipways in the region together with the addition of 1400 meters of extra berthing space.
• Raised the International profile of the company through intensive public/customer relations campaigns, strong media, advertising and marketing initiatives.
• Built a strong management team with the necessary competencies to deliver on strategic objectives.
• Increased sales levels leading to a high and consistent work load. Led the company through the most profitable and successful period in its history.
• Played a leading role in the successful transition of the Gibraltar Royal Naval Dockyard into a commercial Ship Repair yard (Gibraltar Shiprepair Ltd).
• As General Manager turned the company around from a loss making burden on the Gibraltar Government to a profitable enterprise.

• Lamorna Business Consultancy, Bahrain  (CR# 89421-1)

  May 2014 until April 2017

  Following my departure from main stream Ship Repair, I followed a long time ambition to establish my own Consultancy Company which commenced in May 2014.  Based in Bahrain, the main focus has been providing a variety of services to Ship Repair and Offshore Drilling Companies.

  During this time, some notable projects have been successfully undertaken for the following clients-

  Inter Marine UK together with the Oman Drydock Company.

  Duqm Port Authority, Oman.

  Grand Bahamas Shipyard, Freeport, Grand Bahamas.

  Zamil Offshore Services, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.

   

  Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard (ASRY) Bahrain

  From January 1992, until my leaving the company in October 2013 I held the following positions:

  January 1992-March 1993                  :           Mechanical Section Head

  March 1993-May 1996                       :           Mechanical & Piping Department Head

  May 1996-September 2007                :           Production General Manager

  September 2007-October 2013           :           Chief Executive

   

  • Progress through the Company was mainly due to an ability to interact with all parties involved in the repair process and to lead by example. Ship Repair by nature is demanding and stressful, consequently maintaining a calm and problem solving approach gave a clear advantage.
  • A ten year period in charge of the Production was focused on strengthening the ability and skill base of the numerous Departments.  At the same time building a strong quality and safety culture throughout.  This approach opened many opportunities for the company to undertake new and technically challenging repair and conversion projects.
  • As Chief Executive the main focus was on strengthening the customer base which resulted in high sustained commercial sales. The development of a reliable and competent workforce, both permanent and contractors gave support to achieving strategic objectives.  With the global economic downturn it became obvious that the company could not sustain itself only on commercial ship repair.  This resulted in a strategy that diversified the company into related marine activities.  An Offshore Services Division that consistently contributed 40% of sales.  The development of Floating Power Plant, establishing a subsidiary repair branch in Saudi Arabia and setting up a Consultancy Division that allowed ASRY to undertake more complex and technically challenging projects in the future.  Most rewarding is the satisfaction that my leadership oversaw the most profitable and successful period in the company’s history.

   

  Gibraltar Shiprepair Ltd. Gibraltar

  From November 1984, until December 1991 I held the following positions:

  November 1984-April 1987               :           Head of Afloat Engineering and Repair Shops

  April 1987-May 1988                         :           Assistant Production Manager

  May 1988-November 1988                :           Production Manager

  November 1988-December 1991       :           General Manager

   

  • Four years spent developing the mechanical engineering and production divisions. Following this was the role of General Manager with overall responsibility for the operation of the Company reporting to the Deputy Chief Minister of Gibraltar.  This was a demanding position that incurred the additional challenges of local and international politics, trade unions and maintaining working relationships with the strong Military presence within the country. 
  • The most notable achievement was to convert the Company from continuous financial loss to being a consistently profitable venture.

   

  Falmouth Ship Repair Ltd. UK.

  (Member of British Shipbuilders)

  From November 1981, until October 1984 I held the following positions:

  November 1981-January 1983           :           Estimator

  January 1983-October 1984               :           Ship Repair Manager

   

  Gray, Mackenzie and Co. Ltd, Bahrain

  (Bahrain Slipway Company)

  From October 1977, until November 1981 I held the following position:

  October 1977-Novmber 1981 :           Assistant Manager – Commercial

   

  Sembawang Shipyard Ltd., Singapore

  From June 1975, until May 1977 I held the following position:

  June 1975-May 1977              :                       Ship Repair Manager

   

  Silley, Cox and Co Ltd., Falmouth, UK.

  From May 1962, until June 1975 I held the following positions:

  May 1962-May 1967              :           Apprentice Marine Fitter

  May 1967-December 1969     :           Marine Fitter

  January 1970-March 1972      :           Assistant Ship Repair Manager

  March 1972-Otober 1973       :           Ship Repair Manager

  October 1973-October 1974   :           Engineering Manager (Workshops)

  October 1974-June 1975        :           Assistant Works Manager

• 1967-1969       HNC Mechanical Engineering.

  1970-1972       Diploma in Works Management.

  1989                Fellow British Institute of Management (Later referred to as Chartered Management Institute). Discontinued in 2010.

  1994                ISO 9001 Lead Auditor.

  1996-1998       MBA in Management Consultancy from Sheffield Hallam University.

• https://oxfordbusinessgroup.com/interview/obg-talks-chris-potter-ceo-arab-shipbuilding-repair-yard-asry
• https://www.marinelink.com/news/investment-kristian363490
• https://www.maritimeprofessional.com/news/category/chris-potter