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Leadership development

Who is our leadership developmemt for?

Our leadership development work is designed for maritime and port professionals at key transition points — whether stepping into their first senior role, taking on broader responsibility, or navigating the pressures of executive leadership.
We work one-to-one and in small, focused settings, using mentoring and coaching approaches informed by deep sector knowledge and real operational experience. This is not classroom-based training. It is practical, reflective support shaped by the realities of shipping and port operations.
Our approach combines lived maritime leadership experience with structured thinking drawn from formal management education, helping leaders build judgement, confidence, and clarity in complex environments.
Support is always tailored to the individual and the context they operate in — discreet, relevant, and grounded in the challenges they face day to day.
About Stonefort

We support

Emerging & First-Level Leaders

Basic self-awareness, effective 1:1 conversations, psychological safety, and building trust.

We support

Mid-Level Leaders

Managing upwards, developing teams, and mastering versatile leadership styles.

We support

Senior Leaders & C-Suite Equivalents

Strategic thinking, leading at the enterprise level, and building high-performing leadership teams.

Our Delivery Process

Step 1

Work with client to understand their competence and cultural needs. Where are the gaps?

Step 2

Design of a unique client-specific programme — be practical, granular, exciting!

Step 3

Production of an accompanying workbook for each programme participant. Engine for embedding learnings.

Step 4

Delivery of face-to-face training in the UK and overseas to seafarers and shore leaders as needed.

Step 5

Further masterclass and follow-on activity to deepen and ground core programme content.

Our team

Mark Fortnum

Starting as a seafaring officer. Mark reached board level of industry best practice organisations SIGTTO, OCIMF and the Merchant Navy Training Board.

Mark offers us the experience of having personally performed, developed and/or hired people into the majority of roles in the stonefort marine talent portfolio.  Inter alia, he has been a pilot and port manager; led global commercial voyage operations, safety, crewing and energy major vetting; established sea-to-shore talent pipelines; and sat on several leadership teams through periods of significant operational and business change.

He remains current through a successful marine consultancy business, and having been an Assessor/ chartered master mariner. He has a BSc, and a MBA with distinction from Bayes/London City University with electives including organisational design and human resource management.

In a few words: strategic thinker, drive for excellence, development of diverse talent

Matt Stoney

Having led teams across multiple shipping functions. Matt brings strategic experience & practical insights.

Matt has over 30 years’ experience in the shipping industry. Starting out as a Dual Officer Cadet, and finishing his sea career as a Chief Engineer – he has led teams in Technical, Commercial and People disciplines.

In addition to his academic & professional engineering qualifications, Matt has a Master’s degree in business from HULT (Ashridge) University, with distinction.

In a few words: idea creator, problem solver, efficiency addict.