(VICTORIA, British Columbia) — BC Ferries’ Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Mark F. Collins as president and CEO, effective April 1.
A senior marine executive for the past 20 years, Collins’ experience includes roles as the president of Rolls-Royce Marine Brazil and Italy, and vice president of Global Technical Services, CSL Group. Collins is currently vice president of strategic planning and community engagement at BC Ferries, and was the vice president, engineering, between 2004 and 2012.
BC Ferries’ engaged an executive search firm to conduct a thorough national search following the announcement of current President and CEO Mike Corrigan’s decision to step down from his role effective March 31. The board shortlisted and interviewed both internal and external candidates.
The board unanimously agreed that Collins has the ideal combination of maritime experience, academic training, operational expertise and leadership skills. Collins has 35 years of marine experience, 20 of them in executive leadership positions; holds a master of business administration degree (transport and logistics) and a diploma of technical (marine) engineering; has delivered more than $1 billion worth of projects on time and on budget; and has been a marine engineer officer on oil tankers, bulk carriers, container vessels, and fishing vessels.
“As a person who was born in Newfoundland, a ferry dependent island, I understand firsthand the importance of a reliable ferry service to people’s lives,” said Collins. “I am fortunate to have such a solid foundation on which to start my new role as president and CEO, and I have our CEO Mike Corrigan, our leadership team and our more than 4,500 dedicated employees to thank for that.”
