Former Navico chief operating officer (COO) John Scott has joined New Zealand based sustainable marine technology company Vessev as chairman of its board.
John joins Vessev after the company showed its VS—9 electric hydrofoiling vessel for the first time.
Production of VS—9s has now begun with the first vessel entering service.
Prior to joining Vessev, John was CEO at self-service payment technology company Invenco. He also spent 14 years at Navico in executive positions including COO where he played a key role in the acquisition of the Navico Group by the Brunswick Corporation in 2021.
“We are thrilled to welcome John as chairman of the board,” said Vessev CEO Eric Laakmann.
We are thrilled to welcome John as chairman of the board.
Eric Laakmann
“He is a highly accomplished leader with a proven track record of building and scaling exceptional companies across all stages of growth.
“With 25 years of global experience spanning operations, design, supply chain, technical development, procurement, and delivery, his expertise is both extensive and invaluable.
“In the marine industry, John has played a pivotal role in multiple acquisitions and investment rounds, bringing a wealth of strategic insight.
“He joins Vessev at a defining moment, as our first product enters commercial service, and I have no doubt that his leadership will be instrumental in advancing our mission to propel a more liveable world.”
Technology hurdles
John added: “I’m excited to be joining the Vessev team and contributing in any way I can. “The work this team is undertaking represents a paradigm shift for the entire marine industry, one that will, in time, become the norm.
“With physics on our side, success is simply a matter of overcoming technology hurdles, after which progress will follow naturally.”
The VS—9 platform has been designed to be flexible and scalable. The catamaran has a flat wing-deck from bow to stern designed to present different options for configuration.
