The Story So Far
When I first set out to build Terra Mechanica Maris, I didn’t want it to be another company that ran on momentum and hope. I wanted something engineered; built carefully, piece by piece, with structure, logic, and purpose. A company that could grow without losing its footing.
That mindset came from experience. I started in engineering when I was still a teenager, and the lessons learned from those early days have never left me. The precision of machining, the discipline of welding, the checks, the measurements; all of it taught me that solid work starts with solid process. Later, during my time in the Royal Navy, that idea became non-negotiable. When you’re serving on a submarine, there’s no room for half-measures. Systems and procedures are what keep people alive. That kind of discipline never leaves you.
When Terra Mechanica Maris began, it was built with the same mindset. The goal wasn’t just to get up and running; it was to create a company that could sustain itself, adapt, and keep improving. Every document, every form, and every workflow was treated like a component; designed, tested, and refined before being put into use. I spent time defining how we would operate, not because I enjoy administration, but because I’ve seen what happens without it. Clarity replaces confusion. Consistency replaces chaos.
My ILM Level 7 studies in Strategic Management & Leadership helped formalise that approach. They gave me the tools to turn instinct into structure; to design the company the same way I’d design a system. Risk registers, competency matrices, operational plans, and action trackers weren’t just academic exercises; they became our baseline. That structure is now the framework Terra operates within, allowing everything we do, from welding to client reporting, to flow in a clear, traceable way.
I’ve not done it alone. Declan has been instrumental in shaping our systems and giving them the strategic discipline they needed. His background in ISO 9001 has helped transform our procedures into a proper management system, one that’s built to scale. Where I brought the mechanical side, Declan brought the structure and consistency that quality management demands. It’s a balance that’s worked. Now, with Mike joining as Director, we’re entering a phase of refinement; tightening the bolts, aligning systems, and strengthening governance to make sure the company is ready for the next level.
And that next level is coming quickly. We’re now approaching ISO certification; something that was always part of the plan, but only once the systems truly earned it. We’re also actively pursuing grant opportunities to support R&D projects, expanding our workshop capabilities, and opening new doors for engineering and offshore work. It’s a new phase; one that feels like a natural evolution of everything we’ve built so far.
Terra is no longer just a workshop or a service provider. It’s becoming a complete, self-sustaining operation with process at its core and ambition built into its design. The same discipline that keeps a machine running smoothly is now what’s driving the business forward.
Looking back, I can see how far we’ve come from that first idea; a company built on integrity, discipline, and engineering logic. Looking ahead, it’s clear we’re only getting started.
This is the story so far. The next chapter is about refinement, recognition, and growth; all built on the same foundation that started it: structure, precision, and a belief that good engineering principles make good companies.
