Nippon Paint Marine has appointed coatings industry veteran Mark Woods as its new business development manager.

With a mandate to deliver growth and strengthen Nippon Paint Marine’s market share in the LNG, tanker, bulk carrier, containership and cruiseship sectors, Woods will focus on the UK and Monaco markets from his office in London.

Woods has more than 27 years’ industry experience, having held senior technical sales and business development positions with a number of marine coatings companies.

“I am delighted to be joining Nippon Paint Marine to develop its marine business,” he said. “With the UK government recently pledging to invest in and reinvigorate its shipping industry, I anticipate a number of new opportunities for the company’s coatings products. With a rich product portfolio that includes the unique, biocide free Aquaterras alongside more established coatings like NOA and A-LF-Sea, the next few years will be an exciting time for all of us. Nippon Paint Marine is in prime position to meet anticipated market demand and the coatings needs of new and existing customers.”

Nippon Paint Marine Director John Drew said: “With a successful track record in specialist coatings and technical sales, I am positive Mark’s expertise and enviable contacts book will help further strengthen our position across the industry. A key focus for him will be to help further strengthen our coatings products in the UK market. His experience will help ensure we continue to deliver the highest level of service possible to all our customers.”

Woods began his marine coatings career in 1993 following a stint as an apprentice professional footballer with the legendary Fulham Football Club.

He was later appointed Middle East sales representative for another major marine coatings supplier after which he moved to Dubai, specialising in coatings for the oil and gas and, later, aerospace sectors, during which time he qualified as a NACE Level 2 Coatings Inspector.