The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has appointed Natalie Carroll as Head of Competence and Training, where she will lead the association’s initiatives to strengthen workforce capability, improve skills transferability, and support the delivery of IMCA’s People and Skills Plan.

Natalie brings more than 20 years of experience in competence, training, and learning development across offshore energy, subsea, defence, and financial services.

Most recently, she held the role of Global Competence and Training Manager at Boskalis Subsea Services, where she developed and led competence and training programmes during a period of significant business growth.

In her new role, Natalie will lead IMCA’s programme to build transferable skills and capability across the offshore sector, working with stakeholders to develop and standardise core technical competencies, build a global competence and skills framework, and create clearer career pathways across the marine contracting industry.

The initiative will harness new digital tools and systems to make skills more transferable between roles, disciplines, and industry sectors, helping the industry attract, develop, and retain talent for the future.

Natalie is also well known to many IMCA Members through her long-standing involvement in the association, most recently serving as Chair of IMCA’s Competence and Training Committee.

The Committee has elected Jamie Johnston, Survey Lead at Sulmara, as Natalie’s replacement, following a call for nominations from Committee members.

Commenting on her appointment, Natalie Carroll said: “I am delighted to be joining IMCA at such an important time for the industry. Having worked in competence and training for more than two decades, I have seen first-hand the crucial role that competence assurance plays in supporting safe and effective operations. I look forward to working with Members and industry stakeholders to strengthen competence across the sector and help create more accessible and transferable career pathways for the future workforce.”

Lou Bendall, People Director at IMCA, added: “Natalie’s experience, expertise, and strong industry relationships will be invaluable as we advance our People and Skills Plan. Natalie will play a key role in helping the industry develop consistent competence standards, clearer career pathways, and greater transferability of skills, supporting a safer, more capable and more resilient workforce.”

Natalie’s appointment reinforces IMCA’s commitment to supporting its Members through industry-leading competence frameworks, professional development initiatives, and practical solutions to the workforce challenges facing the marine contracting industry.