The Academy Team

Steve joined the Royal Navy in 1982, and after qualifying as a Fleet navigator he subsequently qualified as a Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving Officer in 1990. Steve has command experience both at sea and in shore appointments.  Returning to the UK after a time abroad, Steve took an appointment as Head of Naval Diving training leaving this to become a reservist in 2003, teaching the Royal Marines ‘assault navigation’ techniques. Steve went on to join Warsash Maritime Academy in 2009 as a senior lecturer in simulation and was Head of Department before leaving in 2017 to assist in setting up Simwave in Rotterdam (Europe’s largest independent simulation centre) and subsequently MSA Solent in Portsmouth, before returning to the Ministry of Defence to develop training strategy. Steve is a qualified teacher and lecturer and, as a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, an assessor of University lecturer teaching skills,

Coming from a strong background in education and having supported The Nautical Institute Academy for a number of years, Somiyeh contributes greatly to the rapid growth of the courses and self-study schemes.

Senior Qualifications Administrator at The Nautical Institute.

Senior Qualifications Administrator at The Nautical Institute.

Captain Sarabjit Butalia FNI is a Nautical Institute Fellow who specialises in maritime education and training. Captain Butalia has years of experience as an onboard assessor, has an MSc in Maritime Affairs from the World Maritime University, Malmö. He designs and develops safety modules and training programmes based on need analysis to enhance skills and efficiency.

Simon qualified as a Solicitor in 1984, specialising in criminal and marine dispute resolution, before moving to the academic field, where he managed the law and business parts of the MCA-accredited Merchant Vessel Operations programme at Warsash Maritime Academy. He led the BSc (Hons) Degree course in Marine Operations Management from its inception in 2008, taking it to a collaborative partnership in Hong Kong, and forging links with another partner in Colombo. He has remained a qualified Solicitor and in 2012 was awarded a PhD for his thesis: The Criminalisation of the Ship’s Master. A new approach for the new millennium. He has published a number of academic papers and, in 2016, wrote Corporate Manslaughter in the Maritime and Aviation Industries, published by Taylor & Francis. In 2021 Simon contributed a number of articles to the Nautical Institute's magazine Seaways. His book Responsibility and Accountability in Maritime Law was published by Taylor & Francis in April 2022. He is now writing a new textbook on Shipboard Management studies, to be published by Taylor & Francis in 2024.

Capt. Sushil Bhan is a seafarer enablement specialist having led marine human resource transformations at several organizations, including Maersk, Chevron, and Dole Food Company. Sushil develops senior maritime domain functionaries into experienced behavioural competence assessors and accelerators, increasing the level of confidence in the development of high-performing mariners and advancing the zero-harm maritime realm that all of us fervently seek. He has years of experience in the marine sector as Master, Manager, Auditor, and instructor of STCW programs in addition to his Predictive Index International Behavioural Science diploma. 

Anjaney Borwankar (Anjan) is a serial entrepreneur and a seasoned business executive with over two decades of management experience. He is a thought leader on Digital Transformation and Blockchain and a regular speaker at leading conferences worldwide. 

Anjan co-founded Navozyme, a Singapore headquartered technology company dedicated to  enhancing lives in the maritime sector via proprietary blockchain enabled platforms. Navozyme is leading several transformative blockchain pilots in Europe and Asia.

Anjan has a Blockchain Strategy and FinTech Certification from Oxford University (Said Business School).

Working as a Senior Psychologist at Applied Research International (ARI), New Delhi, Ankur Lal specializes in counselling, coaching, and training for marine professionals. She is responsible for conducting behavioral and soft skills training courses for seafarers, covering areas such as communication, leadership, motivation, human error and stress management.

As a Certified Psychometric Test Professional (CPTP), Ankur is an expert in psychometric assessment of seafarers for personal and professional growth, promotion, and marine incidents.

Ankur has a Masters in Clinical Psychology from Delhi University and a diploma in Training and Development. Her deep understanding of human behaviour combined with an extensive experience in individual and group counselling for various mental health issues proves advantageous in dealing with marine professionals.

After a fruitful innings at sea, Captain Mittal held various leadership positions in the areas of Ship Management and Marine Consultancy. He currently runs a consultancy with a broad range of services including Inspections, TMSA Audits, Navigational Assessments, Surveys and Incident Support. He is also frequently consulted on Admiralty claims, particularly in oil and gas transportation, and has investigated several maritime incidents. He has been a member of various loss prevention bodies and has worked actively to promote safe practices. He has also been instrumental in conceptualizing leading initiatives in shipboard training, which have since become an industry norm.

Capt. Mittal  is based in Singapore and holds an MBA with Distinction from University of Bradford.

Director of Applied Research International, Naomi Rewari holds a M.Sc. Post Graduate Certificate in Education and has set up a maritime training institute offering maritime courses. She is part of the senior management team of a simulation technology institute, delivering simulation solutions across the globe and has spearheaded the use of simulators for competency assessments. A practitioner using psychometric tools for personality and aptitude assessment, Naomi has contributed a chapter to The Nautical Institutes' publication entitled “Human Performance and Limitations” and co-authored the IMO Model Course 6.10 “Train the Simulator Trainer and Assessor”.

A Technical and Training specialist in the Maritime, Logistics and Process Industries for the last 40 years.

Sailed in capacity of Chief Engineer for 25 years on various types of merchant vessels. Main experience with various Electrohydraulic and Electropneumatic, Automation and Control systems in process industry and maritime industry.

Lecturer for The Nautical Institute Academy.

Master Mariner (MSc)

Former: Superintendent/Company Inspector/Marine Consultant/Class Principal Surveyor

Ships in Operation, New Buildings, Hull & Machinery, Materials & Components Surveyor

ISM/ISPS/ISO 9001, 14001, 50001 Lead Auditor

MLC2006 Inspector

Since 2020, Lecturer to The Nautical Institute

After spending 27 years sailing, Capt. Ajay Varma has spent over 15 years working as a certified Navigation and Safety Trainer/Auditor. He is an alumnus of TS Rajendra (1979-80) and holds a Navigation Assessors Certificate from the Tokyo Maritime University amongst other industry qualifications and certifications. He founded his own Navigation Consultancy company in November 2020. 

Master License, MSc. in Maritime Management

Sea service as Navigational Officer on board of cruise vessels

Extensive experience as Project Manager for  implementation of management systems according to various ISO-Standards and maritime codes.

Management expertise as Designated Person Ashore / Company Security Officer for various types of vessels, as Chief Quality Officer, Chief Operating Officer & Managing Director as well as Entrepreneur & Innovator.

Many years practical experience as auditor and senior trainer for management systems.

Comprehensive knowledge in process analysis & optimization, incl. ERP implementation.