Columbia Group appoints Simona Toma as Chief of Maritime HR

Columbia Group has announced the appointment of former OSM Thome Managing Director Singapore, Simona Toma who will assume a C-level leadership role, overseeing both the crewing and training sides of operations within the Group.

This restructuring comes as Capt. Fradi steps down after a distinguished career at Columbia Group. Having served as Director of Crewing and Training, he played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s Maritime HR division since its inception last year.

Joining Toma are key leaders. Anca Preda, Director of Maritime HR (Cruise), was previously Crewing Fleet Manager for Columbia’s passenger fleet. She brings valuable experience from her time with TUI Cruises/Mein Schiff in crew management and with Princess Cruises as shipboard HR Manager. Stewart Bankier, Group Director Crewing (Training), is a maritime expert with 27 years of service in the Navy, followed by roles at Bernard Schulte Management before joining Columbia last year.

Captain Saurabh Mahesh, Director of Crewing (Operations), is a former seafarer with a career span of 30 yeas including 19 years at A.P. Moller Maersk in various leadership functions related to Recruitment, Training and Manning.

Before taking on the MD role at OSM Thome Singapore, Ms Toma was responsible for OSM Asia’s full management activity, managing technical, managing crewing operations for around 100 vessels. Prior to this she was the senior crewing and HR manager at Sea Team Management and General Manager of Marine HR at Maersk.

Commenting on the appointments, Mark O’Neil President at Columbia Group, said: “We are delighted to welcome Simona to the Maritime HR department with support from Stewart and Capt. Saurabh and congratulate Anca on her newly appointed role. Both Simona and Anca have widespread experience and demonstrated an innovative approach to HR and will, I’m sure, continue the success of the department within Columbia Group.

“There is more demand on crewing and training with an expected shortfall of 89,000 officers by next year and the need to attract and keep the new generation of seafarers in a wonderfully diverse environment is crucial to the future of shipping. I look forward to working closely with our new management team.”

“I would also like to express my thanks to Capt Faouzi Fradi, who has helped shape crewing and training over his lengthy career with us. His wealth of experience and industry knowledge has been of huge value to Columbia Group and we wish him all the best for the future,” he added.