Andrew Hair is Director of Warsash Maritime Academy (WMA), the commercial maritime arm and a Faculty of Southampton Solent University. WMA enjoys a high profile in the international maritime industry and offers a full range of Maritime Education & Training (MET) provision to more than 8,500 students each year.
Andrew spent nearly 20 years at sea on a variety of vessel types, first with P&O S N Co. and then with P&O/Princess Cruises, during which time he gained his Master Mariner’s Certificate of Competency. In 1997 he took up a shore appointment in the company’s Southampton office with managerial responsibility for the recruitment, selection and training of Officer Cadets and Technical Officers, together with the development of related policies and procedures.
In 2000 Andrew left P&O/Princess Cruises to undertake an MBA at the University of Southampton and, upon successful completion, joined Warsash Maritime Academy in April 2002 as Head of Professional Studies. In this role he was responsible for the professional education and training for Officer Cadets and Senior Officers and directed the development of new Foundation/Honours Degree cadetships that were introduced in September 2006.
In June 2007, he became Associate Director (Business Operations), with responsibility for the co-ordination of the Academy’s business operations and resource deployment, strategic business review and development, evolution of WMA’s course portfolio in line with statutory and customer requirements, and raising the Academy’s international profile.
In March 2011, Andrew took over as Director WMA, with overall responsibility for the Academy and its course operations.
Andrew is a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership & Management and represents WMA on a number of shipping industry and professional body committees, including the International Association of Maritime Institutions and the UK’s Merchant Navy Training Board.