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Meet Billy Peach, Hythe Engineering Project Manager 

Graduate Project Manager Billy Peach joined the Hythe Engineering team in 2023. He moved from an operations manager role at DHL to defence project management, which was a significant pivot – but not completely out of the blue.  

At university, Billy studied Maritime Business. The role at Hythe appealed to him as he wanted a career which combined his academic background and professional experience with personal interests.  

Cut to Billy now and you’ll find him Project Managing a critical Royal Navy project in the Historic Portsmouth Dockyard.  

Billy’s career journey is a testament to the importance of aligning career growth with personal passions and strengths. We spoke to Billy to find out more about his transition to Hythe, his historic connections to the dockyard, and his future aspirations.  

 

From DHL to Maritime: Billy’s Career Journey 

Straight out of university, Billy secured a place on the DHL Supply Chains Future Leaders graduate scheme. During which he completed various roles: CI Manager, Quality Manager, First Line Manager and Shift Manager. After the graduate scheme, he was promoted to Operations Manager within one of DHL’s largest sites in the country – two 1,000,000-square-foot warehouses!  

At DHL, Billy honed his skills across numerous leadership and logistics positions, laying the groundwork for his career move into project management and equipping him with the expertise needed to navigate the complexities of maritime projects. 

 

 

Why Hythe Engineering? 

When considering his career switch-up, Billy realised that what he enjoyed most about the roles he’d held was managing projects.  

“I enjoyed leading and being part of teams to achieve large goals and loved analysing the data and details within complex projects to reach new achievements and see where we can improve on past performance. Using this and my passion for the maritime industry, Hythe stood out to me as they manage complex projects within an even more complex environment.” 

This career move wasn’t just a professional leap. On a personal level, Billy’s move to Hythe has allowed him to gain a sense of purpose and fulfilment in his work. 

“I think what I enjoy most is working alongside real people, solving real problems. The work we do matters. If a ship doesn’t get fixed, that’s a ship out of action for the Royal Navy.”  

“Hythe is a small player, but they are so powerful, and we’re quite influential in the dockyards and I love that. There’s a couple of guys here that can go and speak to BAE, and we’re heard. Because of our reputation in the dockyard of how good we are at what we do. I feel part of a really powerful team, and although our scope can change throughout a project’s cycle, we always find a way to get it right and that makes me proud to be a part of it.” 

The role at Hythe also resonated with his family history in the Portsmouth dockyard and Royal Navy… 

“It also feels a bit like I’ve gone back to my roots because I’ve got a lot of family members that were either in the Navy or worked in the dockyard, so I grew up hearing stories from the Naval Base. Until joining Hythe, I’d only ever seen the dockyard as “the walls in Portsmouth that you can’t go in”, but now I get to see what my family were talking about, and when I have conversations with my granddad I can picture where he used to work.” 

It’s the people that make the project 

The essence of project management at Hythe lies in collaboration, problem-solving, and resilience. Navigating the challenges of defence projects is an entirely different ballgame to the corporate world, and you need a strong team to make it work.  

Defence challenges range from managing area access schedules on Naval vessels to ensuring all materials and equipment are readily available and in the right place, as well as ensuring that interconnected tasks are running smoothly, with any bottlenecks recognised and mitigated as quickly and effectively as possible.  

Billy credited the collective effort of the entire Hythe team for navigating the hurdles of these complex projects. Together, the team can tackle logistical challenges, stakeholder coordination, and the intricate dependencies of project tasks. 

“Everyone has been so helpful and welcoming; I don’t want to leave anyone out. They’ve all helped me so much, especially the people around me in our offices answering my questions, such as Fred Creamer (Project Engineer) and Lukasz Czlapka (Supervisor Pipe) who have supported me every step of the way during the project. 

And Danny Shipp who took me under his wing when I first started. And coincidentally, it turns out that Danny was an apprentice when my granddad was a manager in the plating shed, so they used to work alongside each other which is strange to think.” 

What’s next for Billy?     

Billy’s aspirations for the future are clear: to lead larger, more complex projects at Hythe, gain further technical and engineering knowledge, and become an indispensable member of the team.  

He’s driven by a desire to contribute to impactful projects that align with his maritime interests and professional aspirations. 

“I think with the future growth of Hythe along with my interest in taking on larger projects and building my skill set, I’m excited for the future opportunities Hythe may bring.”  

Billy’s journey from Operations Management at DHL to a confident defence project leader at Hythe encapsulates the essence of aligning career growth with personal interests. His story illustrates the power of passion, dedication, and the right professional environment. 

 

Connect with Billy. 

If you would like to connect with Billy, please find his LinkedIn profile here. To meet other members of the team please visit our company page. 

 

Shay Reed, Noah Tiller, Ethan Breen, Joel Claxton, and Albie Topliss 

The world of apprenticeships is a vibrant landscape, where young people embark on their journey towards specialised skills and fulfilling careers. 

Meet Shay Reed, Noah Tiller, Ethan Breen, Joel Claxton, and Albie Topliss – five new Hythe apprentices with distinct backgrounds, aspirations, and passions. 

Discovering the Value of Apprenticeships  

For all of our new starters, the appeal of an apprenticeship stemmed from a desire for a more engaging learning experience. Hands-on training in a dynamic environment was their preferred choice over the traditional academic route.  

Shay was drawn to the Hythe apprenticeship programme because it seemed more interesting and varied than other trade courses. “I completed a year-long course but it was quite basic and wasn’t too involved, I thought doing something like this would be more interesting.” 

Similarly, Noah Tiller’s journey into apprenticeships was driven by personal research and a connection with someone who knew about the apprenticeships at Hythe. While most of his friends pursued college education, Noah’s interest in the marine industry and desire to be involved with the city’s history has led him to the dockyard. 

“All of my friends are in college, there’s just one other person doing an apprenticeship. I chose this apprenticeship because I wanted to go into the marine industry. I wanted to be involved with the sea, and wanted to be involved with the city.” 

 – Noah Tiller 

The Skills and Knowledge that Set Them Apart 

Ethan Breen’s apprenticeship story began with a foundation in engineering from a technical college. He wanted to find a more specialised path, and after some recommendations from peers (including Hythe apprentice Harrison Clack), he found himself immersed in the world of marine engineering.   

Joel Claxton was no stranger to welding. Joel has prior experience with welding at college, which has laid a solid foundation. He’s looking forward to applying his skills to a broader range of projects, particularly on naval vessels. He found out about the apprenticeship scheme through his father’s connection to Hythe team member Luke Fitzgerald.  

Albie Topliss came from an entirely different background of sport and spent the last year completing a B-Tech before deciding he wasn’t enjoying it as much as he had expected. After exploring different options, Albie’s uncle (who also happens to know Luke – because who doesn’t?!) told Albie about the company and the opportunities within it. Albie looked Hythe up on social media, researched the projects and decided to go for it. 

“I liked the look of the Hythe apprenticeship because it looked like a well-run company, the projects they work on look interesting, and I would be learning a new set of skills.”

– Albie Topliss 

A Supportive Community 

These five apprentices bring diverse backgrounds, skills, and passions to their respective apprenticeships, embodying the spirit of continuous learning and personal growth we embed into our culture at Hythe.  

One common thread among these apprentices is the welcoming and supportive communities they’ve discovered within the Hythe company. They all commented on the team’s attentiveness to their progress and well-being during their induction and the community feel they’ve experienced within the company. 

And kindly arranged by Alister O’Neill, they went on a fishing day trip with Sea Angling Classic and Angling Spirit founder Ross Honey!  

Beyond the Workshop: The Apprentices Outside of Work 

Outside their apprenticeships, these five young learners have diverse interests ranging from professional scooter competitions, football, racing, gym workouts and skiing.  

In the world of apprenticeships, Shay, Noah, Ethan, Joel and Albie are a testament to the diverse paths toward acquiring specialised skills. Their experiences showcase the rich opportunities available through apprenticeship programs, and their passions beyond work highlight their well-rounded approach to personal and professional growth. 

We greatly look forward to watching their skills, careers and characters develop as a part of our dedicated workforce.

 

 

At Hythe Marine Services, we are committed to pushing boundaries and constantly seeking ways to enhance our processes, ensuring that we deliver nothing short of the best for our clients.  

With quality and process efficiency in mind, our team is embarking on a journey of innovation and improvement within our welding procedures. Recognising the need for enhanced CuNi welding in busy periods of active response work, Luke Fitzgerald and Paul Stone initiated a comprehensive overhaul of the existing process.

The Challenge  

Even though the CuNi welding procedure is functional, it could be improved in terms of the quality and efficiency standards we strive for – especially during busy periods. Luke and Paul realised the potential for improvement and undertook the task of redefining how CuNi welding was performed.   

“Although we have extremely capable CuNi TIG welders, the sheer workload has led us to the possibility of bringing in another process known as Orbital TIG welding, which could certainly increase welding performance. Trials are in the very early stages and the required equipment comes at a high cost, so we still need to consider whether it’s economically viable.”  

Paul Stone | Senior Welding Inspector 

The Process  

Over nine months, Luke and Paul Stone have been re-evaluating and re-engineering the CuNi welding procedure, investing time, effort, and resources into ensuring the process meets our higher quality expectations and efficiency goals.  

While they still have a long way to go, the results of their work so far are very exciting. At present, they are working alongside a welding supplier and equipment manufacturer to see whether requirements can be met to the relevant required standards including mechanical and NDE testing. Qualifications will be to relevant British Standards and Lloyd’s Rules and regulations for Naval vessels.   

Testing and development are being carried out by Hythe Marine Services welding department, RH Davey Welding Supplies and Polysoude (the manufacturer of the Orbital TIG welding system). Lloyd’s Register EMEA will witness testing and approve the method and procedures.  

The Outcome  

If all goes well with weld testing and cost-benefit analysis, the team could expect to see a quicker turnover in the actual welding of butts. Initial set-up time for preparing materials may require more care and attention under welding procedures, but more work is being planned to improve efficiencies further down the line which may result in time and costs being kept down.  

“Redefining the CuNi welding procedure showcases the impact that a focused approach to process improvement can have on elevating the overall standards of our business.”   

Paul Stone | Senior Welding Inspector  

Stay tuned for more success stories as we continue to push the limits of innovation and quality in our industry.

Contact our team 

For engineering consultancy, project management and advice, please contact our team. 

Hythe Marine Services (HMS) sponsors the Royal Navy Golf Association, providing support for golfing competitions and development activities for RN personnel serving at home and overseas. 

This year marked the 100^th RN Golf Championships. In honour of this momentous event, we spoke to Commander Steve White about HMS’ relationship with Royal Navy Golf, what they do, and why the work is so important. 

What is Royal Navy Golf?

Royal Navy golf is one of the many sports offered by NAVYFit, a Royal Naval organisation focused on improving the mental and physical health of RN personnel. Fitness and well-being are at the heart of Royal Navy life, and NAVYfit helps people stay at the top of their game. 

Royal Navy golf involves a variety of golfing activities; competitions and fixtures, across the country, for both men and women. The goal is to improve golf at all levels – whether that be those just starting out as beginners through to those who represent the Royal Navy at the highest level.

Royal Navy Golf is committed across genders; there has been a real campaign to recruit more females into the sport while encouraging those already involved to develop their skills. The ladies held a training camp in Portugal, and key investments like this will encourage more women to take up the sport.

What does Hythe sponsorship mean to Royal Navy Golf? 

HMS has sponsored Royal Navy Golf since 2016, initially coming in to support a golf tour in South Africa. Since then, HMS sponsorship has enabled more training and development opportunities; better events as well as the replenishment of representative team playing kit. In Commander Steve’s words, Royal Navy Golf aims to ‘Do more, with more, for more. And that is what Hythe helps us do.’ 

Not only does HMS sponsorship support the RN Golf Championships and The Navy Cup Golf Finals, but it also enables the RNGA to support Regional Golf competitions, essentially supporting all key golf competitions throughout the year. The funding is used for all levels which enables us to provide a level of coaching to those with an ambition to get into golf through to those who compete in either the men’s or ladies’ representative teams.  The sponsorship is a great enabler as it reduces personal contributions and allows a wider audience to still play the sport they love. It allows the Royal Navy to invest in talented players and develop those with potential. As an example, when the organisation recognises the talents of new recruits, we are able to bring them into the association and provide adequate golf coaching and experience to enable them to compete at the highest military representative level.

Debra Vout, Sports Development Officer at the Royal Navy, explained the value of HMS sponsorship:

“Sponsorship from Hythe Group has enabled us to support both Service men and women to compete at the top level of the military representational sport. This includes competitions, fixtures and even supporting the Royal Navy ladies’ squad competing overseas in South Africa.

It has provided support to the Royal Navy Golf Championships and Navy Cup Finals, in which service personnel from home and abroad can compete (through the provision of professional coaching). It has helped the development of golf from the absolute beginner through to Service representation and has also enabled us to refresh the team kit worn by all our teams and players.” 

Steve told us, “The Royal Navy really does enjoy collaboration with Hythe and the fact that Hythe Marine Services are always taking an active interest in how their sponsorship is being used.” 

Royal Navy Golf has implemented a structured plan and strategy for the funding provided by HMS, not just around the elite team but also, at intermediate, and regional levels across the country.  The collaboration with HMS is truly enabling Royal Navy Golf to develop into new and exciting times.

Hythe Marine Services is looking forward to continuing its support, and can’t wait to see what the future brings. Josh Mathias commented, “Being part of the journey to build a larger and more competitive team from grassroots and within the RN for both the men and the women’s team has been great fun. I am looking forward to seeing some wins coming their way soon!” 

Learn more about Hythe Marine Services sponsorship.

 

What is marine or maritime engineering?

Engineering uses science and maths to find solutions for real-world problems. Marine engineering deals specifically with sea vessels: ships, boats and on and offshore installations. Specifically, the science, architecture and machinery that supports them. Breaking this down further, marine engineering might involve design, repair and maintenance work, pipework, installation, construction, operational duties and control systems. 

Marine engineering is a varied industry, encompassing a wide variety of roles, skills and expertise. Let’s take a look at what the work of a marine engineer involves, the qualities they hold, and a few examples of marine engineering projects. 

 

Introduction to marine engineering: what does a marine engineer do?

Also referred to as maritime engineers, a marine engineer designs, constructs, maintains and repairs a sea vessel’s mechanical or engineered components. This could be one of several mechanical systems, such as electrics and power generation systems, fuel systems, water distribution, propulsion systems and more. A marine engineer may be based on a ship, in an office, at a dockyard or even underwater. 

Typical duties might include:

• Building and repairing boats and ships
• Working on leisure boats or superyachts
• Installing and repairing a variety of onboard systems
• Undertaking marine surveying
• Ensuring engines, components and systems work safely
• Keeping up to date with laws for safety and environmental protection

 

Compliance and Health and Safety in Marine Engineering

Health and safety should always be paramount in any industry. This is definitely the case for anything to do with maritime. The risks that come with regular use of dangerous machinery are combined with confined spaces, working at heights, and being at or near the sea. 

Any marine engineering organisation will likely have dedicated personnel to handle health and safety, compliance, and be responsible for keeping staff up to date with any required training. There may also be sensitive information that must be protected, such as with Hythe Marine Services which operates within the defence sector which, amongst many other responsibilities, involves helping maintain Royal Naval vessels. We also ensure our marine engineers are operating to the highest standards, such as retaining Lloyds Coded Welder certifications and ensuring all of our welders hold Certified Visual Welder status.

 

What qualities and skills does a marine engineer need?

The demand for Marine Engineers and Naval architects is expected to grow 12% from the year 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. The marine industry is a demanding field, and so maritime engineers require a variety of skills and qualities to succeed in the industry. Such as:

• Complex problem-solving abilities
• Effective communication
• In-depth understanding of mathematics and physics 
• Teamworking and leadership
• High level of attention to detail
• Ability to use and repair complex machinery and tools
• Use a variety of software e.g. for computer-aided design (CAD)
• Be prepared to work at sea or away from home for long periods
• Sound technical and manufacturing knowledge
• Budgeting and project management 
• Knowledge of maritime – commercial, leisure and defence

 

Examples of roles within maritime engineering

• Pipefitter
• Welder
• Technical director
• Compliance management
• Project manager
• Engineer
• Financial management
• Carpenter
  

 

Project Examples from Hythe Marine Services

Although primarily focused on servicing and repairing sea vessels, the skills of a marine engineer are cross-vocational. This means that we have worked on some really interesting projects over the years.

Emergency repairs to Juvenile Leukaemia treatment storage

A shelf in a freezer unit had warped, which meant the shelf was no longer distributing freezing oil evenly around the plate. The Juvenile Leukaemia treatment vials have a cost of £30k per vial, so the urgency to fix was paramount. 

Creating industrial-style planters for Idris Elba’s London wine bar

Porte Noire got in touch with the HMS team looking for bespoke planter boxes that would be on display at the front of the bar. The project request was for the planters to have a modern, industrial look and feel, to complement the bar’s rustic-meets-contemporary interior.

Repairing 72ft Challenger Yachts for a sailing charity 

The Challenger yachts undergo surveys to keep them maintained, which on a recent occasion alerted the Tall Ships Youth Trust to an issue. A repair was required, so the team reached out to Hythe Marine Services to complete the work. 

 

Get in touch to discuss your next project. 

What is Value Engineering?

Value engineering can be defined as the method of improving the value, longevity or quality of a product or service that a project produces. Most commonly applied to the construction and engineering industries, value engineering is inherent in the work that we do. The Hythe Marine Services team consider value engineering with every project they take on. They do this to continuously find new ways of improving the quality of service and results which our customers have come to expect from us.

 

What is the purpose? 

Identifying potential improvements outside of the scope of a project can have exponential benefits for a business. Similar to the concept of Kaizen, the Japanese word for “improvement” which refers to business activities that continuously improve all functions, value engineering looks beyond fixing the immediate problem or enquiry. 

With value engineering, customers are receiving services and advice beyond what they originally envisioned. And of course, like any decision in business, there are benefits for the company offering these services as well. For us at Hythe Marine Services, we are able to extend our service offering by suggesting new and improved ways of thinking beyond the initial enquiry or concept, to build a trusted reputation and long-term relationships with our customers, all whilst showcasing our expertise within our field.

“Value engineering is at the heart of what we do because our team use their years’ of experience to look beyond the initial task brief to ensure we exceed customer expectations by providing an even better finished product or solution than initially thought possible.”

– Luke Fitzgerald | Technical Director at Hythe Marine Services

Hythe Marine Services and Value Engineering

When a company, or somebody within the defence industry, contacts the Hythe Marine Services team with a project request, we look beyond the obvious solution to see where value can be added for the customer to the scope of the task at hand. Our Technical Director, Luke Fitzgerald, reviews the request and sees where additional improvements may increase the lifeline, resilience, safety or quality of a product/service. 

As Technical Director, Luke has extensive experience in fabricating bespoke solutions for the marine industry. He leads the team on anything from small-scale projects to supporting the Navy’s warships and composites for luxury superyachts.

We go beyond what’s asked for, and beyond what’s expected, adding value for our customers in areas they might not have even considered.

 

Speak with our dedicated engineers to discuss your next project here. 

Hythe Marine Services is a marine industry specialist, focused on engineering for the defence and, more recently, commercial sectors. To support the growth and diversification of HMS, Paul Grier has joined the team as Sales Executive. Working closely with HMS’ Head of Sales Sarah Powell, Paul will be managing new and existing customers and building the brand’s reputation. 

We spoke to Paul to find out more about his career, new role, and goals for HMS. 

Introducing Paul Grier 

When Paul is off the clock, he enjoys spending his spare time keeping fit and being outdoors. Whether it’s running, coaching cricket or football, Paul is happiest when being active. He’s even starting his football coaching awards! 

Paul also enjoys spending time with his family and on the weekends, Paul enjoys nothing more than sitting in a field camping, drinking wine next to a campfire. 

During lockdown, Paul built his own cabin in the garden – something to be proud of for sure!

Paul’s Career and Ambition

At the start of his career, Paul was in the hospitality industry running bars and restaurants. When it was time to start a family, Paul left the business of hospitality and moved into sales. This career path has taken him through numerous different industries, including bread and confectionery, tools, tool hire, and finally his penultimate role for a chemical company as a Marine Specialist for the cruise line and ferry industries. 

The highlight of Paul’s career so far was working abroad on new cruise ships in Italy and Germany. Speaking on his move to Hythe Marine Services, Paul said, “After 6 years, I‘ve serviced my last cruise ship and will be leaving Ecolab. I have had a good few years and had the opportunity to install new cruise ships, visit European countries and meet many good people. I’m now starting a new chapter of my career at Hythe Marine Services. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

 

What Will Paul’s Role as Sales Executive Involve?

As Sales Executive at HMS, Paul will be responsible for the commercial side of the business, increasing sales and bringing in new customers. On a  day to day basis, he will be managing the commercial accounts, following up with quotes and customers, and speaking to contacts to see what work and projects they have coming up and how Hythe Marine Services can help each customer. 

Although his role is mainly focused on the marine division of the Hythe Group of companies, Paul will be connecting customers with the relevant areas of the business such as Building, Fabrication, and HOSMU. 

Paul was originally interested in the role as he was keen for the challenge of a fresh slate, whereby the role was created for him and not being handed over. This really gives him the freedom to go after his vision for the company. He also has a strong background with the naval base, so felt he would fit in straight away – and he assures us this was the case!

 

Paul’s Vision for Hythe Marine Services

In the interim, Paul is looking forward to getting new systems in place and hitting the ground running with reaching out to customers of HMS. The overarching goal is to build on the Hythe brand in the commercial world and maximise our customer support and service across a range of industries. 

Get in touch with the team through our contact form, or connect with Paul on LinkedIn directly to discuss your upcoming projects.