Chris Ness
Brett joined Targe in 2017 having spent the previous 13 years in senior finance positions with oil and gas industry companies including Axon Energy Products, Halliburton and PSL Energy Services. Brett is responsible for ensuring the efficient operation of the finance, insurance and administration functions as well as providing financial guidance and support to Senior Management.
Nick is a co-founder of Targe Towing. He is responsible for strategic planning and the overall direction of the company. Nick is also a past chair of the BTA. Additionally, Nick has held an active role in the Royal Navy reserves, commanding both at sea and ashore.
Alasdair is a Master Mariner who has worked aboard cruise ship worldwide, and ashore in towage, commercial marine operations and as a Harbour Master. Alasdair holds a BA (Hons) in business Management from the University of Strathclyde as well as being a holder of one of the first MCA Harbour Masters certificates of competency. Alasdair is a chartered Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute and an Associate Fellow of the Nautical Institute. As Commercial Director, he has responsibility for strategy, business development, commercial activities, chartering within Targe Towing. Alasdair has held non-executive directors and executive director roles within the Scotland shipping charity, the Scottish shipping Benevolent Association. Alasdair has been involved with the British Tugowners Association since 2015, and is both on the executive committee and chair of the associations Technical Committee.
Chris has 25 years of seagoing experience, with 11 years spent on deep sea container vessels and 14 years aboard offshore support vessels, including dive support. During his time at sea Chris held the position of Chief Engineer for 10 years. In Chris’s role as Technical Director, he is responsible for technical management of the Targe fleet, dry dockings, liaison with classification societies and is leading the company’s transition towards net zero projects.
Stephen has 20+ years of seagoing experience, starting on deep sea container vessel prior to moving to the towage industry in 2010 where he was quickly promoted to master. Stephen has experience of a broad range of towing operations ranging from Harbour and Terminal towage to working on specialist construction projects. In Stephen’s role as ops director he is responsible for the day to day operations planning, maintenance of the company safety management system, people, training and recruitment. Stephen manages the Targe marine services operation at hound point.
Tom began his towage career managing projects in various international locations including the Bahamas, Mexico and Aruba. He has trained as Master alongside crews in all locations and therefore has a thorough understanding of the safety/ operational issues as well as commercial considerations of a successful towing operation. Tom supports the Targe management team with his depth of knowledge in the towage industry, as well as leading special projects. Tom’s maritime career has also included active service in the RN and the RNR from which he retired as a Captain in 2000. He has been on the British Tugowners Association (BTA) Executive since 1995 and took the lead in drafting the MCA’s PMSC ‘A guide to good practice on port marine operations’. Tom was Chair of the BTA for the years 2011-13.