As part of our Why They Stayed series, Spinnaker asked maritime professionals who have remained with the same employer for more than 10 years what encouraged them to stay and grow.

Our next contributor, John  Wood, Assistant General Manager and Head of Manning & Marine at China LNG Shipping (International) Co Ltd, explains why trust, new challenges and the opportunity to develop the next generation have been so important.

What have been the main reasons you have stayed with your employer?

The opportunities to grow, trust and flexibility, and the stability the organisation has provided have all been important.

I have also valued the challenges within my role and the opportunity to bring on the next generation.

What has helped you grow the most during your time there?

Taking on new responsibilities and having the freedom to try new things have helped me continue developing.

Mentoring younger members of the team has also played an important role. Supporting other people’s development encourages you to reflect on your own knowledge and experience.

Was there a particular moment when you realised you wanted to stay?

The pandemic, between 2020 and 2023, was a significant period.

Everything was new, very little could be prepared in advance and every day presented another unknown. I really enjoyed the challenge, the trust placed in me and the opportunity to build new relationships and strengthen existing ones, even if much of that happened over Microsoft Teams.

How has your role changed since you first joined?

When I joined, the department required substantial restructuring. This included introducing new procedures and processes, followed by staff training to ensure they were fully understood.

Moving into the role of Assistant General Manager and Head of Manning & Marine gave me greater oversight and allowed me to draw on different areas of my knowledge and experience.

What did your employer do to help you take your next step?

The organisation recognised my knowledge and skills and gave me the opportunity to demonstrate them through a promotion.

Being trusted with greater responsibility allowed me to show what I could contribute while continuing to develop professionally.

What advice would you give employers who want good people to stay and grow?

Trust your people, and regularly show them that you trust them.

If you cannot trust somebody, why are they still part of your team? People who feel trusted will always go the extra mile.

John’s experience demonstrates that trust is more than giving someone responsibility. It means recognising their capabilities, supporting them through unfamiliar challenges and giving them opportunities to use their experience to help others grow.