Coracle was set up by James Tweed FICS (Fellow Institute of Chartered
Shipbrokers) in 2006.
A graduate of Maritime Business and Marine Law, James began his career as a
ship-broker specialising in crude oil tanker chartering. In 2001 James became
involved in forming a start-up company as a joint venture between four leading
shipbrokers and a leading oil broker: the company was created to begin the
broking of the emerging commodity product of Freight Forward Agreements
(freight derivatives). James left this company to create and manage a freight
desk at a leading inter-dealer broker before becoming a founding director of
the first hedge fund based on a freight derivatives strategy.
James is past Chairman of the London Branch of ICS.
Mary Tweed
Company Secretary, project manager and one of the voices of Shipping Podcasts
Mary graduated from Edinburgh University and began working in television
production. An interest in organisational management led to a position at the
Palace of Westminster based Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) where she was
responsible for co-ordination of parliamentary delegations visiting the UK and
British MP’s visiting other parliaments.
Laura Seymour
Director
Laura trained as a chartered accountant at Ernst & Young before moving into industry in 2002. She spent over 6 years at Disney, before putting away her mouse ears, and she now works in business development for General Healthcare Group.
Simon Maxwell
Corporate Sales
Simon brings a background of client management from the travel industry to assist us with working on bespoke training solutions. Having worked with Scott Dunn World, Gullivers and In Quest of the Classics, Simon is on hand to help you work out the right professional development courses from Coracle.
Debra Hinkley
Accounts
Having enjoyed double maths A levels, Debra obtained her certificate in accounting and studied finance and accounting management. Debra was promoted to the role of Financial Director of an environmental company in London at a young age and after several years decided to buy a London based business in the hospitality industry from the receivers. She sold that company as a going concern 3 years later. With experience in company acquisitions, growth and turn around, Debra formed her own accounting practice and has built an impressive customer list whilst maintaining an enviable work-life balance.
Our tutors
Coracle is proud to employ well-respected and experienced shipping professionals as our tutors.
