Meet the V.Ships Team

Appointed September 2021

Robert joined V.Group from P&O Maritime Logistics, a global marine logistics company, where he was Chief Commercial Officer and Offshore Director.

Robert joins with an 18 year track-record of successfully leading cross-functional teams in shipping businesses. Robert brings a breadth and depth of experience in leading the strategic commercial agenda and delivering solid business results including significant contract wins, deepening customer relationships, and developing strategic partnerships and markets.

Prior to P&O, Robert spent nine years with Topaz Energy & Marine, most notably as Chief Commercial Officer from 2016 to 2019, where he played an executive leadership role in driving high performance culture initiatives in a global context.

Robert holds an MBA degree from London Business School.

Appointed April 2004

James is a Chartered Accountant and experienced business leader with over 30 years of financial, operational and strategic roles across a range of sectors including utilities, health, finance sector and maritime services. James joined V. 19 years ago. As Chief Commercial Officer a key focus is on V.’s core operating model and to improve the value proposition to existing and potential customers. James sits on the board of Stella Maris, the international seafarer charity. 

Appointed October 2024

In 2024, Jesper Bo Hansen joined V.Group to focus on growing V.’s decarbonization commercial offering and strengthening the Group’s commercial coverage in Northern Europe. Based in Copenhagen, Jesper was appointed Group Director, Global Commercial and Decarbonization in March 2025.

Jesper is an experienced commercial executive with demonstrated success across various sectors of the global maritime industry. Jesper has over 30 years of maritime experience in Europe, Asia and North America where he has led global growth and expansion with several large maritime industry leaders, including Maersk Tankers, Torm and ZeroNorth.

Appointed August 2022

Appointed February 2022

Ian brings over 25 years of global maritime industry experience from across multiple sectors. He has worked at sea, as a navigating officer, and since coming ashore has held senior HSSEQ roles within Oil & Gas, Ports, and Subsea, and has held senior consultant roles in organisations that shape both national and international maritime legislation and policy.

Ian holds an MSc in Safety and Risk Management from Heriot-Watt University, and he currently represents V.Group on several industry bodies that are actively working for the continual improvement of safety culture, and safe working practices, to the benefit of the international maritime community.

Appointed January 2018

Allan started his professional career in Maersk and spent 15 years there, going through the ranks at sea and ultimately earning his Master’s ticket. He then took up various management positions in the shore organisation, working with dry cargo, tankers and offshore vessels. His career with Maersk finally saw him become Head of Operations in Crew Management for Maersk Line.

Following a tenure as Managing Director of OSM Ship Management ROHQ, Allan joined V.Group in 2017 and was appointed to his current role in November 2021.

Allan holds a Master Mariner Certificate of Competency and has an Executive Master of Business Administration from the Kellogg School of Management and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

Appointed September 2017

Until his appointment as CFO Business Units, Ben held the position of Director of Group Finance. Prior to joining V., Ben served as Finance Director at Bupa, with roles in both Bupa Global and Bupa Australia & New Zealand. Earlier in his career, Ben held Director and VP positions at financial institutions including Barclays and Lehman Brothers, and roles with Ernst & Young and major telecommunications companies.

Joyce joined V.Group in 2018 and is currently the Global Head of HR, Ship Management. In her role, Joyce partners with the Ship Management executives and senior leaders in achieving business goals through the creation and delivery of HR initiatives and programmes. Joyce brings with her extensive HR leadership experience from various industries such as financial services, business process outsourcing, and technology. With an academic background in psychology and a masters degree in industrial relations, Joyce is also a certified Global HR Professional (GPHR) issued by the HRCI. She is based in Manila.