About us
MarineSolar Energy Solutions™ is a clean energy company developing practical solar solutions for commercial shipping. Headquartered in the UK with a global supply chain, we work directly with shipowners, charterers and technology partners to deliver renewable energy solutions for global fleets.
Our mission is simple: to accelerate maritime decarbonisation with practical, commercially viable solar energy solutions.
Why solar? As a zero-carbon energy source, solar represents a highly accessible and practical way to generate green energy, reducing a vessel’s overall reliance on fuel. While it is not intended to replace main propulsion, it can supply clean electricity to a wide range of onboard systems, reducing the load on auxiliary engines and generators and displacing energy that would otherwise be produced through fuel consumption.
Backed by Innovate UK and EU funding, and validated through trials with leading shipping operators, we are advancing solar energy solutions as a mainstream onboard power solution for the maritime sector.
Our Team
Chief Executive Officer
Nigel Marc Roberts
As CEO, Marc draws on more than 30 years of leadership experience across multiple sectors. Throughout his career, he has held senior executive positions spanning business development, operations and strategic leadership, while also supporting established organisations and emerging businesses to drive innovation, commercial growth and the successful introduction of new technologies to global markets.
Combining entrepreneurial thinking with extensive industry expertise, Marc is passionate about building strategic partnerships and translating innovative ideas into practical, real-world solutions. His leadership continues to guide MarineSolar’s growth as we develop scalable clean energy technologies to support a more sustainable future for the maritime industry.
Chief Operating Officer
Joep Groot
Joep brings more than 25 years of experience across operations, finance and business transformation within the maritime industry. He combines technical and financial expertise with a practical understanding of shipping processes, enabling more joined-up approaches to operational and commercial decision-making.
Throughout his career, he has led a range of decarbonisation and sustainability initiatives, including voyage and vessel performance optimisation programmes, emissions compliance systems, wind-assisted propulsion trials and wider operational improvement projects. At MarineSolar, he supports the implementation and installation of the company’s solar technologies within shipping operations, ensuring they are practical, commercially viable, and aligned with real-world requirements.
Chief Supply Chain Officer
Ian Pilkington
Ian’s career spans more than 35 years in global manufacturing, operations and supply chain leadership. He has worked across the automotive, aerospace, industrial, energy and medical sectors, helping organisations improve performance, strengthen resilience and deliver sustainable growth.
An experienced transformation specialist, Ian has built a strong reputation for helping organisations improve performance, simplify complex global supply chains and deliver sustainable, measurable results. Combining operational excellence expertise with strengths in executive coaching, he focuses on developing the capabilities, behaviours and leadership needed to support long-term strategic growth. Supported by an MBA, he plays a key role in developing MarineSolar's supply chain strategy and operational scalability as the business continues to grow.
Chief Commercial Officer
Tony Carter
Tony brings more than 35 years of experience across maritime, shipping, logistics and commercial leadership roles, with a career spanning international business development, offshore and port services, shipping agency operations, logistics and strategic commercial growth. Throughout this time, he has helped businesses navigate complex global markets, drive operational performance and identify opportunities that support sustainable commercial growth.
A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (FCILT), Tony leads MarineSolar's commercial engagement activities, building strategic partnerships and supporting the wider adoption of practical clean energy solutions designed to improve both environmental and operational performance across the maritime industry.
Chief Technology Officer
Chris Russell
Chris has spent more than 35 years delivering engineering innovation in technically demanding environments. His background spans mechanical and electrical engineering, software development and the leadership of multidisciplinary teams responsible for bringing complex products to market.
He has held senior engineering roles across the manufacturing, marine and energy sectors, with responsibility for product development, technical strategy and compliance. At MarineSolar, he leads the continued development of our technologies, combining technical excellence with a practical approach to creating robust, high-quality solutions for the maritime industry.
Supply Chain Consultant
Blanca Perez
Blanca brings more than 25 years of experience in operations excellence, quality management and end-to-end supply chain transformation. Having worked across the industrial, automotive, electronics, aerospace and defence sectors, she has successfully developed and deployed continuous improvement, Six Sigma and supply chain programmes for global manufacturing organisations.
An experienced transformation leader, Blanca is known for building alignment across teams and functions to deliver sustainable performance improvements. She is passionate about developing people and organisational capability, and combines operational expertise with strengths in coaching, mentoring and change management. At MarineSolar, she supports the continued development of resilient, scalable supply chain processes that underpin the company's growth.