Thompson Clarke Shipping (TCS) Managing Director Chris Raley has decided to retire to the Queensland Hinterland after a stellar 45+ year career at sea and ashore across the globe. Chris was Thompson Clarke Shipping – Director 2009 – 2012 and Managing Director 2012 – 2025.
Chris’ stellar career included roles in the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia in maritime safety administrations, port operations, sea-going positions, search and rescue (SAR) management and a wide range of maritime consultancy. During his career Chris has had extensive involvement with, and represented both UK and NZ on, international fora including IMO, IALA, COMSAR and the Joint WG for harmonisation of SAR.
Reflecting on his career Chris says:
I have thoroughly enjoyed my career in the international maritime industry, which started in the UK in 1979. During the last 40+ years I’ve also had the pleasure of working closely with maritime professionals in NZ and Australia and been lucky to witness huge developments within our industry. I’d like to thank all the friends, colleagues, customers and clients that I’ve met along the way, it’s been fun.
My time at Thompson Clarke has been particularly rewarding but now it’s time to hand over the batten to someone who is going to take the company forward with new focus and energy and I wish the new team of Grant, Shaun and Matthew all the very best. I look forward to seeing how TCS progresses in the future’.
Thompson Clarke Shipping (TCS) was formed in 1981 to provide independent consultancy services to the shipping and ports industries and associated organisations whose interests lie in maritime transportation related activities. The company specialises in providing operational and commercial advice on all aspects of shipping and port activities. Clients include ship operators, port authorities and cargo interests spread across Australia, New Zealand, the South West Pacific, the Middle East, South East Asia, the Cook Islands and South Africa. TCS consultants and associates are all specialists in their respective areas of practice and, as a team, TCS are able to meet all of our clients’ maritime consultancy requirements for commercial and operational advice.
Grant White will commence as Managing Director in January 2026, closely supported by Consulting Partners Matthew Cook and Shaun Thomas and the broader TSC consulting team detailed on the company website.
Grant joins TCS having 30 years’ experience in sea and shore roles. Embarking on his new role, Grant says “it is a privilege that we continue the dedicated work of TCS towards supporting maritime industry clients and wish Chris the very best in retirement”.
Grant brings an extensive and diverse background in maritime operations, spanning ports, logistics, pilotage, towage, and marine infrastructure engineering—including AtoN, communications, and VTS. His career includes senior leadership roles across both government and commercial sectors, giving him a broad and deeply informed understanding of complex maritime environments.
Building on his early career in the Royal Australian Navy, Grant has held influential advisory positions with Teekay Shipping, driven business development initiatives with AMS Group, and delivered specialist simulation and data-driven transformation across major maritime Defence projects. With this unique combination of operational expertise, technical capability, and strategic insight, Grant consistently helps organisations innovate, optimise performance, and meet the evolving demands of the maritime industry.
Shaun will assume the role of TCS Principal Consultant, bringing with him 28 years of experience across the Australian maritime industry, both at sea and ashore. He offers a unique blend of skills developed through senior positions in marine regulatory bodies (federal and state), government-owned corporations (Port Authorities), and commercial marine service organisations operating domestically and internationally. With an extensive background in port operations and marine towage, Shaun will continue to support clients through his depth of expertise in driving business growth, de-risking operations, and delivering innovative business models.
Matthew has 22 years of experience delivering complex, multi-disciplinary programs and projects across Defence, Offshore Oil and Gas, and the Maritime sector. He has contributed to major infrastructure upgrades, new-build programs, and maritime regulatory reform initiatives. He possesses specialised expertise in the development and implementation of risk-based regulatory and licensing frameworks, safety case development, QMS/WHS/Environment Audit and training.
