Meet members of the management team and staff who, through their professionalism, dedication and passion, manage and operate one of the UK’s most diverse and successful Harbour operations.
Staff Profiles
Laura commenced employment at Orkney Islands Council after graduating in 2003.
After initially focusing on school transport within the education service, Laura took up the role of Transport Planner in 2009, Transportation Manager in 2013 and Service Manager – Transportation in 2022 and has now taken on the role of Head of Marine Services and Transportation. Laura has a BA in Business Administration, Diploma in Management, PgCert in Transport Planning and Engineering and MSc in Transportation Studies and is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation (MCIHT). Laura has extensive experrience across transportation services and project delivery, including leading the Ferry Replacement Programme at Orkney Islands Council.
Douglas’s marine career started over 30 years ago in the white fish and pelagic fishing industry. In 1997 he moved to the offshore industry working on oil and gas support vessels in the North Sea. Douglas joined Orkney Towage Company Limited in 2002 latterly sailing as Chief Officer and then came ashore in 2017 as Port Safety and Counter Pollution Manager with Marine Services, before becoming Towage Marine Superintendent and recently the present role as Deputy Harbour Master Operations. In this role he leads all the Marine operations within the Harbour.
Douglas joined Orkney Harbours Marine Services in 2024 as a Vessel Traffic Services Operator (VTSO), bringing over 30 years of maritime experience gained both at sea and in shore-based management roles.
He began his career on Ro-Ro ferries before moving into the offshore oil and gas sector, where he served as Master on offshore supply vessels operating worldwide. Prior to joining Orkney Harbours, he was Master with a local ferry operator.
As Deputy Harbour Master, Douglas contributes extensive expertise across a broad range of maritime operations, combining practical seagoing experience with strong marine management and leadership skills.
Sarah Jessen joined Orkney Harbours as Business Development Manager in 2026. She has more than 10 years' experience in the energy industry, beginning her career in technical administration and project support roles for the fabric maintenance teams on Flotta Oil Terminal.
She later moved into marketing and communications roles with the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) and Wave Energy Scotland. Both organisations have played a significant role in establishing Scotland as a global leader in marine renewable energy, and Sarah supported the growth and development of the sector through stakeholder engagement, communications and industry promotion.
Sarah holds a BA (Hons) in Business Management from Robert Gordon University and recently completed an MSc in Net Zero Communities through the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI).
As Business Development Manager, Sarah is responsible for identifying growth opportunities, developing relationships with customers and stakeholders, and promoting Orkney Harbours' services and facilities across the maritime, energy and logistics sectors.
Jessica Low joined Marine Services in March 2023 as Team Manager – Operational Support. Prior to this, she spent four years working within the Finance team at Orkney Islands Council, gaining valuable financial experience that now supports the strategic and operational aspects of her role.
Jessica studied International Tourism Management at Robert Gordon University, developing a strong foundation in customer service and stakeholder engagement. Having lived in Orkney for most of her life, she has a deep appreciation of the local marine industry and the vital role it plays within the community.
In her current position, Jessica provides operational support across all areas of Marine Services and oversees the Business Support Team, ensuring efficient processes and high‑quality service delivery.
Ankit embarked on a distinguished maritime career after graduating from a prestigious maritime university in Australia. With a solid educational foundation, Ankit spent 16 years at sea, rising to the rank of a management level officer on mega container vessels. In this role, Ankit demonstrated exceptional leadership and expertise, contributing to the efficient operation and management of some of the world's largest shipping vessels. In 2023, Ankit transitioned from a life at sea to a shore-based career in the UK to leverage extensive maritime experience in a new capacity. This move marked the beginning of a new chapter, bringing a wealth of knowledge and practical insight to the maritime industry on land. In April 2024, Ankit joined Orkney Harbours, taking on a pivotal role in one of the UK's key maritime hubs. With a career spanning over two decades, Ankit's transition to Orkney Harbour underscores a commitment to advancing maritime operations and supporting the growth and sustainability of the port's activities.
Kyrylo was born in Odesa, Ukraine, where his love for maritime operations began. He started his career in construction management, overseeing a plant and honing his project management skills. Afterward, Kyrylo spent eight years at sea in various roles, gaining deep insights into ship operations and crew management.
In 2022, Kyrylo moved to London, UK, marking a milestone in his shore career. There, he joined a boat cruise company’s operations department, spending 1.5 years coordinating schedules and logistics to improve passenger experiences. In April 2024, Kyrylo started his new role as Assistant Harbour Master at Orkney Harbours, where he applies his extensive maritime knowledge to ensure efficient and safe port operations. His diverse experience makes him a key asset to the harbour community.
Mohammad joined Marine Services in September 2024. Prior to joining OIC, he gained over 24 years of experience managing projects related to coastal and port engineering, coastal management, dredging, and hydrographic surveys. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, an MSc in Marine Structural Engineering, and a DBA in Strategic Management. He also holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. He serves as the Co-Chair of the Cooperation Committee of the World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure (PIANC) and Vice President of the International Organisation Committee of Coastal and Port Engineering in Developing Countries (COPEDEC).
Jenni joined Marine Services, Marine Environmental Unit in March 2007 as a Biologist. In February 2012 she took on the daily management of the Marine Environmental Unit as a Senior Biologist.
Jenni is responsible for the marine ecological monitoring work carried out by the Unit. This includes marine non-native species monitoring, sandy and rocky shore monitoring, radiological monitoring, ballast water sampling and contract work carried out by the Unit.
Jenni has a BSc (Hons) degree in Zoology from University of Bristol, an MSc in Aquatic Ecosystems Management from Edinburgh Napier University and a PhD in Marine Biology from Heriot-Watt University.