Columbia Group has appointed Simona Toma as chief of maritime HR, overseeing the company’s crewing and training operations.
Toma, formerly Managing Director of OSM Thome Singapore, brings extensive experience in maritime HR and crewing management.
Her appointment follows a leadership transition as Capt. Fradi steps down after serving as Director of Crewing and Training, a role in which he played a key part in establishing Columbia Group’s Maritime HR division last year.
Toma will be joined by key leaders in the Maritime HR division. Anca Preda, Director of Maritime HR (Cruise), previously managed crewing for Columbia’s passenger fleet. She has experience in crew management at TUI Cruises/Mein Schiff and worked as a shipboard HR Manager for Princess Cruises.
Stewart Bankier, group director of crewing (training), is a maritime expert with 27 years of Navy service. He later held roles at Bernard Schulte Management before joining Columbia last year.
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.”
Before leading OSM Thome Singapore, Toma managed crewing operations for approximately 100 vessels at OSM Asia and held senior HR roles at Sea Team Management and Maersk.
