MEET THE TEAM

Eric McIlwain | Chair

Eric is the Managing Director of Hastings Marine and Engineering, a marine surveying and engineering business he established in 2013. Eric has had a career in the maritime industry spanning more than 35 years with roles as a Chief Engineer, Ship Repair Manager, Technical Superintendent and more recently that of Marine Surveyor. He is an AMSA accredited surveyor, accredited for initial and periodic surveys for domestic commercial vessels. Eric also undertakes a range of marine surveying services for his clients from small recreational surveys to large ship and cargo surveys. As Chair, Eric is responsible for the development and oversight of strategic direction, succession planning and sound business operations in conjunction with the Board and CEO.

Email: chairman@aimsurveyors.com.au

Greg Marsden | Vice Chair

Greg is an MNZ and AMSA qualified and recognised marine surveyor and owner operator of Marsden Marine Ship Surveyors based in Wellington, New Zealand, specialising n recreational and sub 24m commercial vessels. In addition, Greg is also an Inspector with the International Marine Certification Institute (ICMI) specialising in CE compliance, and a qualified Marine Accident Investigator having undertaken specialist training in marine accident investigation through the UK's National Maritime Training Centre.  In this role he has supported investigations conducted by MNZ, the NZ Transport Accident Investigation Commission, NZ Police as well as technical consultancy support to civil disputes. Greg is the first New Zealand representative to join the AIMS Board and is keen to continue to foster the linkages between our Australian and New Zealand membership and surveying community.  As Vice Chair, Greg supports the Chair in his duties, including supporting the Chair, when and where necessary and supporting the Institutes wider strategic goals.

Email: vicechair@aimsurveyors.com.au

Capt Scott Aiton (New South Wales) | Company Secretary

Scott is the Director of Gibson, Minto and Aiton Marine Consultancy, with over 20 years’ experience as a marine surveyor. Prior to this, Scott began his seagoing career with BHP Transport before moving into tugs, working as a tug master in the ports of Newcastle, Sydney, Port Botany and Port Kembla. Scott has been a member of AIMS since 2003, following in the footsteps of his father Neil, who is one of the founding members of AIMS. As Company Secretary, his role is to monitor the compliance of all board activities and processes in conjunction with the CEO.

Email: secretary@aimsurveyors.com.au

Capt William Burton | Director

In January 1970 my plan to leave home, have no more school and see the world came to fruition when I was part of the Junior Entry to HMAS Creswell at Jervis Bay. There was more\ school, but we marched about and played with boats. With the new Federal Government, I was handed an Honourable Discharge and went off to sea for the next thirty-three years in the Merchant Navy, on various ships and cargoes, in both Coastal and International waters. Currently with Plumley Pearson and White, William started surveying in 2006 with MCC Marine after moving down to Brisbane from Carins. In December 2011 elected a Member of AIMS and watched the Institute grow and improve.

Wade Nagel | Director

Wade is the director of Adapt Marine, a marine surveying and consulting company established in 2022. With over 15 years industry experience, Wade has served in various marine engineering roles before moving ashore where he gained valuable experience in all
aspects of vessel management, and ship repair/new build on Australian Flagged vessels, both DCV and RAV. Having spent the past 8 years working ashore, doing marine surveying on the side Wade decided it was time to transition into a full-time marine surveying role where Adapt Marine was established to service both the recreational and commercial marine sectors. He is AMSA certified in multiple categories (G, H, I, J, K, L, N and O), in addition to AMSA DCV Surveying Wade is experienced in change of flag surveys, DCV/RAV gap
analysis, on/off hire and pre purchase inspections.

Zac Howells | Director

Zac is a leader in the Australian maritime industry with over 25 years of proven expertise in commercial shipbuilding, vessel repair and marine surveying. A Master Shipwright / Boatbuilder and AMSA-accredited surveyor, he also holds Advanced and International Diplomas of Commercial Marine Surveying and is an ISM/ISPS auditor and flag state surveyor for IMMARBE (Belize). In Australia, Zac has led some of the most demanding and high-profile maritime works, including the construction and commissioning of advanced high-speed vessels, complex refits and conversions, stability testing, and compliance surveys for a wide range of domestic commercial vessels. In recognition of his technical expertise and leadership, Zac was the inaugural recipient of the Australasian Institute of Marine Surveyors Award for Excellence in 2015. Known for his hands-on approach and uncompromising standards.

Dr Eric Perez | Chief Executive Officer

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and is responsible for:

• Acting as the Secretariat to the Board as required;
• Building strategic relationships;
• Developing and implementing the AIMS Strategic Plan;
• Reporting to the Board on matters relating to the Institute's profitability and performance;
• Coordinating continuing professional development opportunities for members in consultation with the Professional Development and Training Coordinator;
• Managing statutory compliance; and
• Manages and oversee staff and contractors.

Email: gm@aimsurveyors.com.au
Ph: +61 2 6232 6555
M: +61 492 881 737
W: www.aimsurveyors.com.au

Sue Brown | Professional Development and Training Coordinator

The Professional Development and Training Coordinator and is responsible for:

• New student enquiries and enrolments;
• Marking student assessments;
• Yearly reviews of training offerings and content in line with training committee;
• Compilation and updates of unit marking guides;
• Assisting the CEO to Identify and facilitate member CPD opportunities;
• Coordination of Sub Committees; and
• Reviewing training income against budgets with CEO.

E: training@aimsurveyors.com.au

Susan Hull | AGSA Scheme, AIMS and Grain Accreditation Advisor

Susan Hull started her Maritime career with AMSA in July 2010 in the role of National Training Manager and her role was centred around the development of the first accredited marine surveyor qualifications. In 2011 she was seconded to the Regulatory Affairs and Reform division of AMSA to lead three main projects: (1) further development of marine surveyor qualifications, (2) development of guidelines for marine surveyor accreditation and (3) assist in the reform of seafarer qualifications to meet the requirements of the National Law. Her work with AMSA resulted in her forming close working relationships with marine surveyors and in late 2012 she was recruited as the Chief Executive Officer of the Australasian Institute of Marine Surveyors, a role that she held for 13 years. Today she works in a contractual role with the AIMS primarily focusing on the AGSA Scheme and the accreditation of grain surveyors.

Susan has led the way for the reform of professional standards for marine surveyors and has achieved much for the AIMS including: (1) 2014 Winner of Lloyds List Award for Services to the Maritime Industry, (2) 2018 Winner of Associations Forum - “Turn Around Association”, and (3) 2019 Highly Commended – Women in Shipping and Logistics.

E: grain@aimsurveyors.com.au