Each week, we are bringing forward the humans behind the Signol app - they're a bunch of incredibly talented and diverse people that we hope you'll be pleased to meet. In this thirteenth blog post, get to know Drew Selley, our Maritime Technical Account Manager at Signol.

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Hi Drew, let’s start with your background before Signol.

I began my life as a marine engineer at sea in 2013, since then I have sailed on-board various different vessel types including container ships, ferries, cruise ships and superyachts. Doing this allowed me to gain perspective in how multiple branches of the maritime industry work and presented me the opportunity to overcome the various challenges that each sector is faced with.

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So, how did you get involved in Signol?

Working at sea, I saw first hand the urgent need for maritime to decarbonise.  So in 2019, I took my first step toward being part of the solution and undertook a degree in sustainable maritime operations. When I completed this, I began searching for a company that would allow me to put my experience and skills to work, which is when Signol presented itself.

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How has your work  evolved?

I joined Signol earlier this year. Being part of this team has allowed me to use the knowledge I have gained at sea and focus it solely on saving carbon in shipping. Being part of the onboarding of customers, playing my role in product development and discovering new and exciting ways that we can nudge those onboard to make more sustainable decisions has been an exhilarating experience. 

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Where would you like to see Signol in the next few years?

I would love to see Signol rolled out across the world wide shipping community. Seeing Signol’s impact being discussed at a large IMO forum would be the ultimate goal.

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How does Signol compare to other companies you’ve worked with?

Signol is relatively small which gives me a sense of normality, almost as if we are one crew sailing towards our destination. Being this size allows everyone to see exactly what contribution they are making towards the end goal. Working in a start-up like this very much allows you to move fast and get work done, it also means you have to be meticulous in knowing the product which I enjoy.

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How does working onshore compare to life at sea?

Moving shoreside has been a shock to the system to say the least. I honestly couldn’t remember what a weekend was before moving to Signol. Overall I am extremely happy I made the move. Being able to be part of the solution to help the planet and enjoying myself whilst doing it is a great feeling. I often miss seeing new places everyday, but then I remember how much I enjoy my own bed.

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Biggest achievement at Signol?

I’m really proud of the stamp I'm leaving on the app surrounding new behaviours we are developing. I hope the knowledge I bring to the team allows us to really get into seafarers shoes and acknowledge the job they do.

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Finally, here's a little trivia with Drew: