As we start 2026, we have asked some of our newer consultants how they have found their first few months at Spinnaker.

Next up we have Chloe Harrington-Grace who joined us in October and since then has made a real splash on the Technical & Engineering desk, partnering with Marine Consultancies, P&I Clubs, Law Firms, Classification Societies, Flag States, Ship Registries, Asset Managers and Product & Service Providers.

We asked her for her take on the sector and any thoughts for candidates looking for jobs in the industry. We can’t wait to hear from you Chloe!

What are the ‘must have’ skills that your clients are asking for from technical candidates?
The roles I’ve worked on so far are SO broad that I don’t think there is a particular skill I can pinpoint. A related degree is probably the main requirement I’ve had so it’s important for candidates to make sure that their education is up-to-date and relevant. There are lots of opportunities for further learning from maritime universities many of which offer distance learning.

Are there any unusual roles you are recruiting for?
I’m currently working on a role for a Marine Engineering Analyst and am looking for someone who has experience investigating why rotating and vibrating systems may fail and analysing the reasons as to why. This does require quite niche technical skills and also leadership skills as the role also involves supporting wider teams to prevent the issues moving forward.
The Marine Automation Engineer role that I’m working on is really high in demand, but the candidate pool seems quite small. As mentioned earlier, a relevant degree is a must here as is fluency in German and English so if you know anyone then get in touch!

What parts of recruiting in the technical space do you enjoy the most?
Speaking to candidates and hearing about their breadth of experience, they seem to have lived a thousand lives, years at sea, years on shore in various roles, all within one individual candidate!

What type of candidates do you need more of?
This is hard to pinpoint, but right now I’m finding the talent pool quite small for Automation Engineers. Especially those who not only have the technical skills required, but are also happy with extensive travel and being based out in the field.

Has your view of maritime changed since you started at Spinnaker? 
Massively! I never appreciated how important shipping is in relation to our day-to-day life, we just order something and expect it to arrive next day, not thinking about the process and the people involved!

You can get in touch with Chloe for a chat about any current roles via email or phone.