Gerhard Hoffmann

More than 30 years across complex, highly automated technical systems — and, throughout, developing the people who run them. Chief engineer of the world’s first LNG-powered cruise ship, carrying up to 8,000 people, with engineering responsibility for commissioning and managing its LNG systems. As fleet chief engineer, technical audits across a cruise fleet against ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001, and investigation of incidents and technical failures.

Developing people has been a role in its own right, not a byproduct of seniority: work as a dedicated training engineer, IMO-certified instructor, and a corporate position as deputy head of HR, responsible for personnel development across the group’s European subsidiaries, including apprenticeship programmes for 70 trainees. Engineering teams of up to 80 at sea; up to 30 ashore.