Industry veteran will strengthen links between industry and academia with professional education programme at Liverpool John Moores University

 SSI, a global leader delivering software, services, and expertise for shipbuilding and sustainment, has appointed Andrew King to lead its deployment of digital design and production tools to UK-based shipyards.

A hugely experienced Naval Architect with more than 40 years’ of work in the ship design, ship building, conversion, repair and refit sectors, Andy’s previous roles include naval architecture positions and senior commercial and c-suite technical advisory roles for organisations including Cammell Laird, BAE Systems, Babcock, James Fisher & Sons, Expleo and Belcan, as well as a number of private clients in the commercial marine and superyacht sectors.

Recent projects have seen Andy focus on net zero innovation in the maritime industry, including winning bids in two UKSHORE Clean Maritime Demonstration Competitions in partnership with Bibby Marine, and Elire Group.

In his role for SSI he will leverage his deep knowledge and contacts to deliver a combined portfolio of business development and net‑zero innovation initiatives across the naval, commercial marine and leisure sectors.

His approach centres on fostering strong collaboration to drive high‑value maritime programmes and sustainable technology adoption across the industry. He will also undertake a new programme designed to equip maritime professionals with the skills required to evaluate, design, integrate and manage net-zero technologies throughout the entire vessel lifecycle.

In September 2026, Andy was appointed Visiting Professor in Marine Engineering Design for Net Zero Solutions at Liverpool John Moores University’s Global Centre for Maritime Innovation, where he will develop a professional education programme designed to help shipowners, shipmanagers, shipyards and design consultants bridge the gap between innovation, engineering projects and net zero solutions.

The Marine Engineering Design for Net Zero Solutions was supported by Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade and the Royal Academy of Engineering under the Visiting Professors FY2627 – Round 13 scheme.

“The challenge facing maritime is no longer simply developing new technologies, it is developing engineers capable of integrating those technologies into real ships operating in real commercial environments,” says Andy. “The programme will utilise real-world decarbonisation case studies and industry-standard digital engineering tools, including SSI’s ShipConstructor and ShipbuildingPLM platforms, enabling delegates to assess future-fuel retrofits and newbuild applications within a practical vessel design and lifecycle management environment.”

“Andy brings SSI a valuable combination of technical and commercial expertise and above all deep experience as a naval architect that clients need when developing strategies for a new generation of low carbon vessels,” says SSI’s EMEA Lead, Jan Hedeman. “His experience in creating innovative approaches to ship design and production challenges means that Andy can help shipyards build strategies that shape their sustained success.”