WE ARE MOTIVE.
Our people will always be our most valuable asset. We take great pride in our committed and innovative team, everyone an expert in their field.
Executive Team
With a wealth of industry experience, our Executive Team provides strong organisational leadership. Guiding the development and implementation of Group strategy and business operations, they lead by example, with a strong client-led perspective.
Dave Acton
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Executive Officer of Motive Offshore Group, Dave co-founded the business in 2010, following a successful career spanning over twenty years in subsea engineering.
As CEO, Dave’s main focus is the growth and development of his team. He oversees all of Motive Offshore Group’s global bases and develops growth strategies, both organically and through strategic acquisition.
Through his years of experience working in the energy industry, Dave knew he could apply his skills and knowledge to build a company that could support a range of energy projects, starting in Scotland, and rapidly growing worldwide.
Dave trained as a mechanical engineer, igniting his strong work ethic and having high expectations of himself, and those around him. Moving into offshore working, Dave quickly moved through the ranks, starting as a subsea engineer, moving to drilling, and being promoted to management positions.
It is this first-hand experience that enables Dave to lead Motive Offshore Group with knowledge and understanding that underpin our core values: People, Planet, Product.
Dave has grown with the business, remaining committed to his own personal and professional development, enabling him to continually drive Motive Offshore Group forward. This passion, for not only growing the business but for helping its people to excel, saw Dave recognised as EV CEO of the Year in 2020.
Declan Slattery
Chief Operating & Financial Officer
Bringing 14 years’ financial experience specifically focused on Offshore Service Providers, Declan was appointed Chief Financial Officer for Motive Offshore Group in 2020.
Declan began his career at PSN, going on to hold senior positions at Enpro Subsea, Technip FMC, Ceona, and PDi, with his experience spanning the UK, US, West Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and India.
A highly accomplished finance professional with a proven track record leading on financial and commercial activities, Declan brings a wealth of private equity experience, specialising in Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A), new country entry, and strategic development.
Moving into the role of Chief Operating & Financial Officer in 2024, Declan strategically leads on financial activities across the Group to optimise operations and profitability, with a strong focus on corporate development and sustainable growth.
LinkedInJames Gregg
European Regional Director
James is the European Regional Director and co-founder of Motive Offshore Group. Identifying a gap in the market, James seized the opportunity to utilise local talent to create a company that could support multiple sectors through fully integrated solutions.
After completing an Apprenticeship in the fishing industry, James steadily progressed his career to a senior operational management role overseeing an engineering department, and hire equipment sales and support.
As European Regional Director, James oversees business strategy and growth across the region. With a deep understanding of the industry, and drawing on years of experience and strategic leadership, he is committed to building strong, long-term client relationships.
Known for a proactive, hands-on leadership approach, James is closely involved with teams and projects and as the organisation continues to grow, he strives to uphold the core values that define Motive: People, Planet, Product. His resolute belief is ‘people first’, enabling career mobility for all through encouraging employees to pursue their strengths and naturally grow within the organisation.
LinkedInKerry Scott
HSEQ AND PEOPLE DIRECTOR
Starting her career over 20 years ago in the oil and gas industry, Kerry is our HSEQ and People Director, responsible for leading the global HR function and providing leadership on all aspects of health, safety, security, environment, and quality across the Group.
A chartered member of the Institute of Safety and Health, Kerry has driven a step change in owning health and safety since joining Motive in 2016, promoting accountability to ensure HSSEQ is the responsibility of everyone.
Formalising the human resources function within the company to create structured recruitment processes and comprehensive employee support frameworks, Kerry has also been responsible for developing our global People and HSSEQ Strategy. Additionally, Kerry plays a major role in influencing a positive and inclusive workplace culture, focused on employee well-being and continuous learning, growth, and development.
LinkedInGraeme Chalmers
EASTERN HEMISPHERE REGIONAL DIRECTOR
Graeme joined Motive Offshore Group in January 2021, following Motive’s acquisition of Flowline Specialists.
With a childhood interest in mechanics and engineering, Graeme served his time as a mechanic in the automotive industry, before joining an Oil & Gas multinational where he would build an extensive knowledge of modular cable handling and deployment equipment.
In 2024 Graeme was promoted to Eastern Hemisphere Regional Director, a strategic role placing him on Motive’s Executive Team.
In this role Graeme oversees the expansion of services lines into new countries across the Eastern Hemisphere, identifying growth opportunities, and continuing to strengthen Motive’s reputation as a trusted partner.
Having enjoyed working in the UAE since 2015 and as Motive’s former MENA Country Manager, Graeme knows the arena well, playing a key role in expanding the company’s presence and fostering strong client relationships.
Graeme is a GlobalScot and a member of the Middle East branch of the Society for Underwater Technology.
LinkedInJonathan Watt
AMERICAS REGIONAL DIRECTOR
Joining Motive in 2024 as the new Americas Regional Director, Jonathan brings a long track record in commercial and managerial roles with over 17 years’ experience in the offshore energy sector.
Based in Houston, Jonathan will be responsible for leading the Americas market and driving business growth.
With a deep understanding of the regional market he will play a major role in providing local client support, building Motive’s rental business, and growing its local expert team. His combination of leadership, sector expertise, and commercial acumen makes him an ideal fit for the position, backed by his recent senior roles at Acteon Group, where he undertook positions as Commercial Director, rising up to Managing Director.
LinkedInLeadership Team
Our Leadership Team is a group of highly experienced Managers who provide a collective approach for strategic and operational governance across the company. Meeting together regularly to share ideas and collaborate, they ensure we can make good decisions quickly, and provide the critical link between our global bases, divisions, and the Group as a whole.
Sarah Wallek
FINANCE DIRECTOR
Sarah has a career spanning over 25 years in the oil and gas industry, bringing experience working with SMEs and global companies with venture capital investors. Joining Motive Offshore Group in 2021 as Group Finance Manager, Sarah was appointed Finance Director in 2023.
ACCA qualified and having retained a management role for more than 15 years, Sarah specialises in finance and accounting management, including financial reporting, budgeting, financial analysis, treasury, and process improvement.
Overseeing financial operations across the Group to ensure statutory compliance obligations are fulfilled, Sarah is responsible for delivering and improving the quality of financial information with robust processes and systems, working closely with our Leadership Team and Company Auditors.
LinkedInBen Coutts
MANUFACTURING DIRECTOR
Ben joined Motive in 2020 and is responsible for Motive’s manufacturing services delivered from our Boyndie facility in the North East of Scotland.
Roles throughout his career range from an engineering apprenticeship through to senior management positions in the Royal Air Force, Oil & Gas, Waste Management & Renewables industries.
LinkedInSteven Kilpatrick
EUROPEAN RENTALS DIRECTOR
An experienced professional in sales, business development, project management, and leadership, Steven brings over 25 years of expertise in driving business improvement and process optimisation within the Oil & Gas and Renewables industries. Steven joined Motive in 2024 following its acquisition of Aquatic.
A proven business leader, Steven is highly skilled in driving cross-functional teams, delivering business goals, while maintaining a strong focus on quality and client satisfaction. With extensive experience in the global cable handling and flexlay solution arenas, he is dedicated to advancing the company’s footprint across the European region, identifying new opportunities for growth and partnership.
Steven leads on large-scale projects, overseeing and optimising sales and operational performance while delivering leadership for the Motive Rentals team ensuring compliance with Group strategy.
LinkedInAndy Derrick
GLOBAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Joining Motive Offshore Group in 2022, Andy Derrick assumes the role of Global Business Development Manager.
Responsible for enhancing brand recognition and growing our clientele worldwide, Andy works closely with the sales and marketing teams, managing the overall business development to deliver on our strategies across the Group.
Bringing over 12 years of sales, customer service and partnership management experience, Andy most latterly held the position of Head of Sales for an Energy sector software specialist and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in Business Development.
LinkedInLinzi Moir
CERTIFICATION & INSPECTION DIVISION MANAGER
Embarking on a career change in 2014, Linzi moved from Beauty and Complementary Therapy into the Oil & Gas industry, specifically within Certification & Inspection. Starting out in Operations Support then quickly progressing to Operations Coordinator, Linzi has amassed a wealth of knowledge across Certification & Inspection services.
Joining Motive Offshore Group in 2019, Linzi came on board as Key Account Manager for a major client, and in 2022 was promoted to Certification & Inspection Division Manager. Passionate about excellent customer service, she has responsibility for managing and overseeing all UK operations, leading a multi-disciplined team to ensure the smooth and successful delivery of projects.
LinkedInRyan Thomson
EUROPEAN REGION SALES MANAGER
Ryan joined Motive Offshore Group in 2013, following various roles working for oil service companies across Aberdeen.
Bringing vast technical experience, Ryan has navigated a number of roles at Motive, in both the UK and Norway.
Initially joining Motive as a Proposals Engineer, Ryan relocated to Norway in 2015 to help establish Motive AS. Results-focused and with a knack for driving growth, Ryan took over the role of Regional Manager for Motive AS in 2019, overseeing sales and operational activity in the Scandinavian marketplace.
Following a return to the UK in 2023, Ryan now assumes the role of European Region Sales Manager, responsible for managing and executing the regional sales strategy.
Ryan is a committed GlobalScot helping champion collaboration and lend support to new companies entering the marketplace.
LinkedInDavid Mitchell
MENA REGIONAL MANAGER
With over two decades of experience across the oil and gas industry, David joined Motive FZE in 2024 and is responsible for leading the UAE market and driving business growth.
Backed by previous senior management experience at leading multinational organisations, David’s proven ability in leadership, sector expertise, and driving growth and operational excellence combines with a passion for building strong client relationships and delivering sustainable results.
LinkedInWe are One Team: One Motive.
Our Team makes us what we are. By believing in our people and putting them first, we have achieved a solid and resilient business foundation.
Our people come from a variety of backgrounds, have different areas of expertise and diverse ambitions, but all share a common mindset:
People.
Planet.
Product.
These core values are in our cultural DNA and form the model for our entire organisation.
We care about our impact and that's why everyone at Motive lives by the premise of "accountability in every action".
Our team is as committed to the end result as the people who choose to work with us.