Mike Osborne – Chairman and CFO

Dr Mike Osborne trained as a physical oceanographer and has since acquired a broad set of skills comprising environmental and engineering support, marine data management and GIS. Mike has worked across a range of marine industries, managing numerous high profile projects globally. First as Technical Director of Metoc, then as founder and MD of SeaZone and latterly as MD of OceanWise, Mike has been pioneering the use of GIS in the marine environment for almost 20 years. He specialises in data and information management and decision supports systems for the port and maritime sectors and the creation of marine reference data for marine spatial planning. Mike is a Fellow of IMarEST and a member of the MEDIN Executive Team. He is also an invited expert on the IHO Marine SDI Working Group, which he helped instigate, and an IHO trainer. He was awarded the Association of Marine Scientific Industries (AMSI) Business Person of the Year in 2017.

Caroline Levey – Managing Director

Caroline has managed to find her dream job combining a love of the sea with a love of geography! Having completed a Masters in Geographical Information Science her first job was developing GIS at the Port of London Authority (PLA) – the use of which is now widespread across the company.

Since leaving PLA she has worked for Metoc (now Intertek) and SeaZone, where she was involved in developing GIS based software for companies like Airbus and was integral in the building of SeaZone Marine Data Products – the first marine data company. Since leaving SeaZone to build OceanWise with Mark, Mike and John, she has developed higher quality Data Products, GIS based software for use in Ports and provided training for those learning or improving their GIS skills. Being passionate about data management Caroline is keen to help others in the marine industry follow best practice so they are as efficient as possible.

Out of work, competitive sport has taken a back seat to taxi and pit crew for my children’s sporting interests – spending most weekends in muddy fields! Caroline also supports their cycling club (Solent Pirates) as Club Secretary.

Mark Jonas – Technical Director

Mark Jonas has over 20 years commercial experience in the industry. He has a unique blend of experience in oceanographic surveying, environmental data processing and long-term data management and archive. This includes the development of computer hardware and software tools and incorporation of the data in a variety of CAD, Spatial Databases and GIS Systems. When those systems can’t solve the problem, he does a bit of programming! Mark also has had extensive experience in mathematical modelling which has provided him with the capability to manipulate data from initial collection through to post-processing and final analysis.

When he’s allowed to come up for air – he enjoys a spot of boating!

Ralph Bostock – Operations Director

Ralph is an experienced metocean scientist with 17 years of experience in project management, marine surveying and the application of marine data. He has supported numerous offshore renewables, dredging, underwater mining and coastal engineering projects throughout the UK and Europe.

Ralph is Operations Director, responsible for all operational activities for OceanWise, ensuring that business objectives are met safely, efficiently and effectively.
Based on Hayling Island with his wife and two sons, he enjoys spending time on the water or climbing whenever he can.

Katie Eades – Marketing Director

Katie joined OceanWise in early 2018 and is responsible for ensuring the development and delivery of OceanWise’s Marketing strategy and Marketing portfolio. Katie has a degree in Marketing and a wide variety of experience spanning Marketing and Sales and Key Account Management. She has worked in a number of industries including Government, the Wine industry and Bathrooms.

Katie is well travelled and spent 5 years after her degree working and exploring throughout Europe, Asia and the South Pacific.

Katie has two sons with whom she shares a passion for all things out doors. She is a keen skier, outdoor swimmer and walker and loves spending time with friends and family.

Sarah Cockroft – Monitoring Business Manager

Sarah joined OceanWise in November 2023 as our Monitoring Business Manager. Sarah joined us with a wealth of experience having spent 17 years at Fugro as an Oceanographer. Her skills include marine engineering, data processing and importantly managing operational and consultancy metocean teams. At OceanWise she is responsible for managing the day to day running of our Monitoring Business Stream including project management, business development, site visits and our growing monitoring team.

Outside of work, Sarah loves the outdoors, spending as much time as she can in the garden, at the beach or in the countryside with her husband and young daughter.

Elvedin Rosic – Engineering Manager

Elvedin is an electronics and electrical engineer with over 20 years’ experience in the marine industry. He has worked on the design and installation on a wide range of different power and data systems, incorporating various types of instrumentation and satellite and terrestrial telecommunications equipment. He has many years’ field experience, deploying and maintaining data buoys and other systems in the coastal zone, and inshore and offshore waters, worldwide. His present role is as Engineering Manager in which he is responsible for enhancing OceanWise’s growing environmental monitoring systems capability.

Andrew Bell – Information Systems Manager

Andrew Bell has 16 years experience working in the geospatial industry and a lifetime passion for all things to do with the sea. Following on from completing his MSc in Geographical Information Systems he has been developing corporate geospatial infrastructures in a number of government organisations, mostly recently as an independent consultant for the public and private sectors. Andrew joins OceanWise as an Information Systems Manager and will be working with our operations team. He has strong spatial database skills, in particular with PostgreSQL/PostGIS as well as strengths in QGIS, FME and Geoserver.

A keen sailor, Andrew competes in offshore and inshore yacht races as well as taking time to go cruising and enjoys exploring new waters.

Janet Lockey – Customer Services & Office Manager

Janet has the role of Customer Services Manager at OceanWise where she is responsible for keeping the business ship-shape and ensuring that customers’ expectations are always being met.

Janet started in the Marine Data industry with SeaZoneSolutions Ltd in 2007 as Customer Services Assistant. She quickly progressed within the company and was promoted to Customer Services Manager. Janet stayed on when SeaZone was taken on by HR Wallingford Ltd and continued to gain valuable experience learning to work in a much larger organisation. Having left HR Wallingford she is delighted to have come full circle by joining her old crew at OceanWise as Customer Services Manager.

Mother to three grown up daughters, Janet enjoys long walks, camping holidays and all things family.

Steve Bourne – Software Development Manager

Steve joined OceanWise in December 2018 bringing with them 7 years’ experience in web-based systems development. Of those 7 years they spent 4 years working on website maintenance and development and 3 years developing in-flight entertainment software for private aircrafts – after tackling the skies they decided to move their attention to the seas!

Steve is now a core part of the OceanWise technical team and is responsible for the development and maintenance of front facing websites and external projects as well as supporting and developing in-house tools.

Outside of work, Steve enjoys painting miniatures and spending time with their family and friends.

Hafsa Masood – Web Systems Developer

Hafsa is a core part of our Technical Team working under the management of Steve. Hafsa brings with her many years of experience having worked as a freelance Web Developer in Karachi, Pakistan, where she was responsible for creating ecommerce and dashboard websites. She then moved to the UK following her passion for further studies and travel. Since being in the UK she has accomplished her long awaited dream (and promise to her late dad) of completing an MSC in Web and Mobile Development Technologies.

Outside of work she is very home oriented and loves spending time with friends and family. She can often be found arranging pizza parties and sleepovers for her daughter and friends and connecting to her mom back home. Being an absolute foodie, she loves to cook and try new recipes.

Bhavith Chandra – Web Systems Developer

Bhavith is a graduate of MSC advanced computer science from the University of Hertfordshire. He brings with him several years of experience as a front-end web developer and is working with Steve in the Technical Team developing and maintaining the OceanWise product portfolio and websites.

Outside of work Bhavith likes to explore new places, trekking and cycling.

Dai Atkins – Oceanographic Engineer

Dai is an experienced field operative and project manager who has been maintaining and upgrading coastal based monitoring systems for several years. He has a wide range of expertise and experience, including in bioscience, construction and quality assurance, and is also a qualified electrical and gas engineer, all useful skills which he brings to the OceanWise’s Field Operations Team. Dai has a wide understanding of – and respect for – the marine environment through his pursuit as a recreational SCUBA diver and instructor.

Will Girard – Operations Coordinator

Will joined OceanWise as Business Administration Apprentice in September 2016 seeking to gain a qualification while working. As an apprentice he learnt all the different aspects of the company and worked on different areas from the business side to IT. He has a keen interest in Geography and also enjoys work related to the environment, so working for OceanWise means he can combine these interests with his working life. Having completed his apprenticeship in March 2018 he took on the new role as Operations Assistant where he, amongst other tasks, is the lead internal auditor, environmental representative and deputy product manager of OceanWise’ Marine Themes Vector product.

In his personal life he is a keen footballer who enjoys following the sport and playing it. In his spare time he enjoys cycling whenever he can whether it be off or on road.

Jason Gillan – Field Engineer

Jason joined us with over 18 years experience in manufacturing, spending over 7 years leading a small team building satellite communication equipment for military and commercial uses. With Jason’s hands on dexterity, he is driving development in our Workshop and keep our Monitoring and Operations team processes in order. He is an essential part of all our builds and installations.

Jason is very family orientated spending many a Saturday morning on a freezing cold football pitch side-line watching his son play the ‘beautiful game’. When he’s not with his family he can be found in the gym or with his head stuck in a bag of kettle chips.

Tirren Ambroziak – Oceanographic Data Engineer

Tirren Ambroziak joined us as a Oceanographic Data Engineer in 2021. Since then she has gone from strength to strength demonstrating core skills in project management, installations and customer account management.  Tirren has a Masters in Oceanography from University of Southampton and supports both our operations and field teams working across a combination of key projects. She also uses her Oceanographic knowledge to support our data platform Port-Log. As a field engineer she is often working outside the office, installing equipment from Tide Gauges to Met Sensors in various locations around the UK.

Outside of work Tirren enjoys doing anything that involves being out on the water. She is a keen sailor, paddle boarder and swimmer and can often be found either out on the water or under it, regardless of the weather. In addition, she enjoys trying new food and travelling, always on the look out for her next adventure!

Fred Ashcroft – Junior Field Engineer

Fred joined us as a junior field engineer, bringing with him a great mix of practical skills and marine experience. Fred moved ashore having spent over a year training to be an officer on commercial vessels. Fred is a huge support to the Monitoring Team – using his skills in the workshop, in the office, on-site and drives the internal monitoring support function. Fred also has an interest in coding and software development having studied computer science at college. When he’s not reminiscing about the ocean, he can be found reading books or listening to music.

Janis Mossbacher – Oceanographic Engineer

Janis joined us in Spring 2024 as a graduate oceanographic engineer and very quickly became an important member of the team. He is working with both the mapping and the monitoring teams and has an MSc in Oceanography from the University of Southampton where he focused on environmental and ecological issues as well as geological and exploratory surveying.

He has a variety of data analytic skills with coding programs such as python, Matlab and R and has done a wide range of surveying trips from boats, coastal, terrestrial and diving situations.

Outside of work he is usually found on hikes or walks, rock climbing or outdoor swimming with friends.

Fran Light – Administration Assistant

Fran joined the team in Spring 2024 and has a key role supporting the Customer Services and Operations teams. Fran is working closely with Janet and Will, undertaking a plethora of important administrative tasks including accounts and CRM management.

Fran joins us with a wonderful ’can-do’ attitude, an exceptional eye for detail and a wide range of experience and skills. Originally a copywriter and freelance lifestyle journalist working in the Middle East, Fran moved over to customer relations and office support when she moved back to the UK, and in the 20 years since has worked in a range of business areas including law, education, travel and pharmaceuticals.

Outside of work, Fran feeds her passion for wildlife conservation by volunteering at Marwell Zoo, where she spends many a happy hour in the giraffe house chatting with visitors about giraffe evolution. She is also a keen trail runner and coaches with her local running club, helping beginners discover the joys of running.

John Pepper – Non-Executive Director

John has 40 years’ experience working in the geospatial information industry, specialising in data collection and management, policy and strategy, new business development and marketing in the UK and overseas. He spent 27 years with Ordnance Survey involved in geodetic surveys, photogrammetry, satellite imagery analysis and cartographic development and 11 years at UKHO in product management, commercial development and data management. In this time, he has travelled widely in UK, Europe, North America, Asia and Africa.

In addition to his marketing portfolio with OceanWise, John specialises in providing geospatial, business and management consultancy services in strategy development and change management.

He holds professional qualifications in Surveying Science and Geodesy, Marketing and Strategic Planning; is a Chartered Marketer and a member of the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM). He lives in Somerset, is married with two grown up children with primary out of work activities including golf, cricket, gardening, steam trains and travelling.