IMPA's distance learning Diploma in Marine Purchasing and Supply Management programme

Course Director

Steve Watkins Cert Ed, MlfL
Lecturer 
North West Kent College

Stephen started at sea in 1980 as Deck Trainee, took his Deck Officer’s exams at the Merchant Navy College, Greenhithe in 1984 and then sailed as 2nd Mate for a couple of years before moving ashore.  After three years in retail management with Tesco PLC he got the opportunity to join the National Sea Training College (NSTC) at Gravesend, as Nautical Instructor teaching safety and seamanship to Pre-Sea Trainees. 

In 1996 Stephen became Nautical Lecturer following the merger of NSTC with NWK College delivering nautical and safety courses.  During this time Stephen has also been programme coordinator for distance learning students studying Marine and Port NVQs.  The NSTC has recently been renamed to the School of Maritime Operations and Logistics, based at North West Kent College.  During his time in maritime training Stephen has completed a Certificate in Education with Greenwich University, NVQ Assessor and Internal Verifier Awards, ILM Certificate in Management and ILM Diploma in Management.  Stephen has also had the opportunity gain a range of marine and medical qualifications such as RYA Coastal Skipper, MNTB and RYA Survival Instructor, First Aid at Work, Medical First Aid, Medical Care Onboard and Emergency Medical Technician.

Industry Course Director


Captain Peter Machado
Group Manager
Seven Seas Shipchandlers/Group

Captain Machado served at sea for 14 years including Captain Command and is a certified Master Mariner Class I. He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, a Fellow of the Nautical Institute and has such professional qualifications as Management of Ship Operations (MSO) from the Centre of Advanced Maritime Studies (CAMS), University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. After coming ashore, Captain Machado served with a Kuwait-based shipping company as Fleet Manager before joining Seven Seas Shipchandlers based in Dubai where he is now the Managing Director. This move completed three sides of the professional, fleet management and commercial triangle. Captain Machado has had personal hands-on experience covering the various aspects of the marine industry including operations, technical, repair and maintenance, commercial, finance and administration, personnel, procurement, marine insurance, safety, marine law and information technology. Captain Machado serves as Vice-President, Membership and Education with the IMPA General Council and he is also Vice-President of the UAE Ship Suppliers Association.

Course Authors

Susan Hawker
Principal Lecturer, Faculty of Law
London Metropolitan University

Susan is a principal lecturer in International Trade and Shipping law at London Metropolitan University, and Associate Professor at the London Law Centre of the University of Notre Dame (South Bend, Indiana, USA). After qualifying as a barrister, Susan worked in P & I, before going into academia. She is currently also the academic consultant to the Grain and Feed Trade Association (GAFTA). Susan also is visiting lecturer at Cass Business School, City University School of Engineering, Copenhagen Business School, and BCA Athens, teaching on postgraduate and professional shipping courses.


Mark Rowbotham
Customs and Marine Consultant
Portcullis ISC

Mark is a former officer of HM Customs & Excise and established his own Customs Consultancy, PORTCULLIS ISC, in 1999. He advises on Customs, Excise and VAT issues and delivers training courses in all aspects of Controls, Procedures and Management of these areas. He is qualified in International Relations, Export Management and Statistics and gained his Masters Degree in 1995. Mark is a qualified linguist, fluent in French, Portuguese and Spanish, along with a working knowledge of German and Dutch. He has since worked as Customs Analyst in the international logistics sector before becoming an independent Customs & Excise Consultant in 1999. Since then, he has added Marine Cargo Security and Management issues to his portfolio. Mark has had several articles published in several international trade and logistics magazines and journals on issues concerning Customs & Excise and Marine matters, as well as papers published in journals of several Universities. He is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, and he is also the Chair of its Maritime Forum.


Nigel L Smith FCA. FCCA
Principal
The Financial & Management Training Consultancy

Nigel is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. He qualified with a small firm of accountants before moving to Coopers and Lybrand as a training manager in 1971. In 1982 he set up his own training practice and has specialised in training finance in the Ports Industry since 1983. He currently lectures to large and small businesses and governmental bodies in the UK, Europe, Africa, USA, South America and the Far East.