XOCEAN operates in the ocean data and offshore services sector, supporting industries such as offshore wind, oil and gas, and subsea cable development. We collect the ocean data that companies need to plan, build and operate offshore infrastructure. What makes XOCEAN different is our use of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), which allow us to gather high-quality data remotely. As demand for offshore wind and ocean and environmental data grows, particularly in support of the energy transition, the sector we operate in is expanding rapidly.
As group financial controller, my role goes beyond traditional finance, combining business partnering with operational and strategic support across the organisation. I lead finance transformation initiatives, including the development and optimisation of our ERP platform (NetSuite), the integration of automation and AI-driven solutions, and oversight of key operational processes such as payroll, contractor administration and supply chain management, helping ensure the business can scale efficiently and effectively.
You are often building processes and systems in real time as the business scales
What stands out most right now is the pace of growth and innovation. This is a sector that is evolving quickly, driven by technology and the global focus on renewable energy and sustainability. From a career perspective, it offers significant exposure to strategic decision-making and the opportunity to work at the intersection of finance, operations and technology. The challenges are also rewarding, you are often building processes and systems in real time as the business scales, which provides excellent development opportunities.
My finance background provides a strong foundation in governance, financial control and strategic decision-making, all of which are critical in a fast-growing and operationally complex sector. What has been equally important, however, is the ability to look beyond the numbers – understanding how the business operates, collaborating with stakeholders across different functions, and using data to generate meaningful insights that support better decisions.
Throughout my career, I have focused on improving processes, implementing technology and driving automation to enhance efficiency and scalability. In a sector where organisations must balance growth, innovation and operational excellence, finance can play a much broader role than traditional reporting and control. By combining financial expertise with systems knowledge, business partnering and a continuous improvement mindset, I am able to help support sustainable growth and long-term success.
Understanding how to leverage technology is an increasingly valuable skill
As organisations become increasingly data-driven, there is also a growing need to be comfortable with business systems, automation and emerging technologies such as AI. Understanding how to leverage technology to improve processes and support decision-making is becoming an increasingly valuable skill. From a soft-skills perspective, curiosity, adaptability and a willingness to continuously learn are also critical.
ACCA has provided me with a particularly strong foundation, notably in areas such as financial reporting, governance and business management. From there, gaining experience in industry, especially within operational, project-based or high-growth environments, has proved extremely valuable. While networking can certainly help, many opportunities arise through transferable skills rather than direct sector experience. As a relatively specialised and evolving industry, organisations often value adaptable professionals who can bring fresh perspectives, embrace new technologies and contribute to continuous improvement.
