Meet the ARC Team
We believe that building with nature-inclusive designs is one of the most powerful ways that we can enrich marine biodiversity across the world’s oceans. We wouldn’t be where we are today without our teams of dedicated scientists, engineers, conservationists and all-round ocean-lovers.
Tom Birbeck
Founder & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
After extensive research into artificial reefs and their uses around the world, Tom founded ARC Marine in 2015 with a determination to repair the world’s damaged marine ecosystems.
He has experience in commercial diving, aquaculture, and sustainable fishing and has successfully led the company over the past 9 years, from a seed round of investment to the completion and installation of ARC Marine’s flagship product, reef cubes® across the globe.
Tom’s vision is for ARC Marine to pioneer the unrealised potential across the offshore, coastal defence and aquaculture industries, helping them to build thriving marine ecosystems. These ecosystems can be designated for marine conservation, habitat restoration, sustainable fishing and restocking programs or, most importantly, scientific monitoring and proactive management for long-term sustainable oceans.
Steve Wright
Strategic Business Lead
Fascinated by rock pooling, snorkelling and diving since childhood I’m finally working on opportunities to positively help transform how mankind impacts the oceans and work with people passionate about ocean conservation. My dream is to get paid to dive and protect marine reefs around the world and with ARC Marine that is a real possibility.
Julian Chenoweth
Chief Manufacturing Director (CMD)
A highly experienced and successful entrepreneur having built several companies from start-ups to multi million pound turnover businesses, mostly in the Waste management and haulage industries. I've also built an extremely successful group of companies(Maen Karne Group) specialising in concrete products, ready mix concrete, aggregate bagging and waste processing. In 2017 I sold Maen Karne which continues to successfully operate to this day and of which I remain the Chairman. Following the sale of Maen Karne I started and developed a further eight businesses, all of which have been equally successful. I sit on several corporate business boards and performs chairman roles in addition to many directorate roles across multiple businesses.
Sam Hickling
Chief Scientific Officer (CSO)
A dedicated scientist with a generalist skill set that allows me to keep ahead of the varying aspects of development at ARC. As the Chief Scientific Officer I’m in a multifaceted role that includes aspects of management, ecology, materials science; and product development.
I'm grateful to be working with ARC marine. I've been able to develop around my role in the company and the mission is intertwined with my goals in life.
James Murphy
Project Engineer/Marine Scientist
A keen scientific, commercial and recreational diver, I have personally witnessed the rapid decline in marine biodiversity and the destruction caused by human activities on the marine environment and believe it is imperative to work with nature in order to ensure our survival and that of all marine species.
I am a firm believer in a nature inclusive approach to the design of every marine project. My ethos aligns fully with ARC Marine and over the last 9 years I have been part of the design, implementation and monitoring team for every reef that they have deployed.
James Regan
Non-Executive Chairman & Growth Advisor
An experienced business builder with a passion for the natural environment. I get a kick out of working with enthusiastic teams to create and grow technology companies.
What better than to do that with an endeavour working to rescue our oceans and the planet?
Scott Bushby
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
I’m a chartered accountant with more than 20 years’ experience leading the finance functions of engineering businesses across the South Coast.
I love living near the ocean and in my free time I’m a coasteering instructor, so I get to see first-hand the changes to the ecosystems along our coastlines.
Working for ARC means being part of a company that’s not only pushing the boundaries in working to repair the world’s ecosystems - it’s also highlighting the strength of UK innovation and engineering.
Harrison Short
Project Engineer
An engineer with experience in marine civil and coastal engineering looking to develop artificial reefs across the globe with ARC Marine’s unique and leading solutions. I love spending time in and around the ocean and enjoy diving and surfing whenever I can.
By providing responsible, sustainable, and practical solutions with ARC Marine I hope to help preserve and restore the ocean for generations to come.
Fiona Hutton
Accounts Manager
A Chartered Accountant here to make sure that ARC’s figures balance and that we’re following best practice.
I’ve got an eye for detail, a love of excel and an interest in sustainability and the reduction of waste. At home by the sea, I live in Cornwall where I enjoy swimming and surfing - I find meaning by helping to build biodiversity with ARC.
Hannah McFadyen
Marketing Manager
An ocean-loving marketing professional working to accelerate reef creation by spreading the word about ARC Marine and our groundbreaking solutions. Copywriting, swimming, sailing and social media are some of my biggest passions and I couldn’t think of a better way to bring them together than in my role here at ARC.
Ferrante Grasselli
Eco-engineering Scientist
Marine ecologist specialised in eco-engineering solutions for various coastal and marine habitats. My goal is to contribute to the improvement of marine ecosystems by leveraging the extensive knowledge I acquired throughout my studies.
At ARC Marine, my work matches my goals and background and I’m here to promote the conservation and restoration of the marine environment by designing greener solutions.
Martin Dreneau
International Business Representative
Originally from eastern France, I decided to move to the UK 10 years ago driven by my passion for English literature, history and all things British! Living by the seaside on the English Riviera has made me aware of the strain human activities put on our oceans and coastlines.
As an International Business Representative at ARC Marine, my aim is to provide advice and support to our customers and to assist our team at ARC Marine to accelerate reef creation in the British Isles and beyond.
Charlie Brunyate
Blue Economy & Sustainability Lead
Sitting at the nexus of sustainability, corporate communications and change management, I'm here to ensure our sustainable activities are anchored to our core business values, stakeholder expectations and meeting the environmental and societal challenges of global habitat restoration and conservation.
Growing up by the sea, I'm passionate about nature and coastal life, leveraging my commercial experience and expertise to help achieve ARC Marine's ambition to create thriving ecosystems and advocate for a world in which nature is a key business consideration for the future.
Koan Hughes
Graduate Marine Scientist
As a dedicated marine scientist and recreational user of the marine environment, I’ve explored a multitude of scientific principles in exciting locations around the world. I’m passionate about investigating the intricacies of underwater life and our understanding of physical marine processes.
I’m excited to navigate a path to sustainable coastal and offshore development, entwining ARC Marine’s nature-inclusive ethos with my own so we can make a meaningful impact on our blue environment.
Kyle Dearson
STEM Graduate
An engineer by qualification, I moved back home to Torquay after four years of study away from the sea at the University of Cambridge, and I am glad that I’ve found a position that I’m not only interested in but gives me as much of a connection to the ocean as I had growing up.
At ARC Marine, I enjoy tackling the engineering considerations of ARC’s products, but I am also fascinated by and have appreciated researching, understanding, and helping to further our scientific endeavours. It’s clear to see the effects of humanity on undersea ecosystems around the world, and I consider it a privilege to be a part of the effort to save our seas.
Karen Whicker
QHSE Advisor
Korede Agbaje
Graduate Engineer
I am passionate about marine conservation and joining ARC Marine has not only allowed me to leverage my previous experience in the energy sector but has also provided a platform to contribute to a cause I deeply care about. With a keen interest in nature-inclusive design, I am excited to be part of a team that prioritizes the health of our marine ecosystems. My role as a Graduate Engineer involves undertaking technical assessments on a project-by-project basis, allowing me to apply my skills in a meaningful and impactful way.
Looking to join the ARC team?
If you're a Marine Engineer, Scientist, Ecologist or think you can help us accelerate reef creation, we want to hear from you.