Captain Iain G. Macneil MNM DUNIV
Chief Executive
Iain began his career at sea at 16, joining the Merchant Navy and embarking on a journey that has spanned nearly four decades in the maritime industry. His sea career was mainly spent on large LPGCs, VLCCs and FPSOs.
Iain founded Seamanship International Ltd. in 1998, a company focused on the development of maritime training and regulatory content. In 2008, Seamanship International Ltd. merged with Witherbys and by 2012, Iain and his wife, Kat Heathcote, had taken ownership of Witherbys. Since then, Iain has led Witherbys as CEO, cultivating relationships across the maritime sector and expanding the company’s role as a leader in technical, operational and navigational publications for the world’s merchant fleet.
In addition to steering Witherbys’ growth, Iain remains deeply connected to life on the open ocean. In 2022, he completed a world-first circumnavigation of the earth via all the Capes in the Southern Hemisphere in 150 days, on the expedition vessel ASTRA, the first motor vessel <24 metres in length ever to do so, further showcasing his commitment to maritime expertise.
In recognition of his contributions to maritime education and safety, Iain was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of the Highlands and Islands in 2022 and received the Merchant Navy Medal for Meritorious Service (MNM) in the same year. This State Award is the highest peacetime medal of honour within the maritime sector.
In 2024, after obtaining the requisite seatime and completing all supporting STCW courses, Iain resat both the Chief Mate Unlimited and Master Unlimited orals with the MCA, some 25 years after he last followed this syllabus. This revalidation provided him with a unique insight into the training needs of the modern deck officer and the present day reality on the navigation bridge.
Kat Heathcote is Witherby's Commercial Director and Co-owner of the company along with her husband, Iain Macneil.
Kat’s career began in the oil industry, where she spent 20 years building a strong foundation in strategic oversight and leadership.
At Witherbys, Kat has taken primary responsibility for ensuring that publications are written in plain English while utilising the specialist language and terms of the industry, She has also played a central role in shaping an ethical, community oriented culture, expanding the activities of the company’s profit funded Trust.
On 14 June 2025, Kat was awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours for services to the People of Scotland.
After completing an engineering degree in Electromechanics and a degree in Nautical Sciences at Antwerp Maritime Academy, Johan worked for over ten years at sea, sailing as Chief Mate on LPG tankers for EXMAR.
He then briefly studied software development following a lifetime interest in computer programming since 1981.
In 2002, he started working as software developer then IT manager for Seamanship International.
Since 2008, Johan has been Technical Director at Witherby Publishing Group, supervising software development and technical research in various fields.
Donna is a qualified accountant with responsibility for all financial and HR matters at Witherbys.
Donna joined Witherbys in 2011 following over 15 years in senior roles in accountancy practice, specialising across a broad range of finance areas including business advisory, auditing and financial reporting.
After spending nearly all his working life in maritime roles, David joined Witherbys in 2020 as the non-executive Deputy Chairman.
Prior to that, he spent 10 years in the UK Chamber of Shipping where initially he was employed as Director Safety & Environment. His team sought to deliver a regulatory climate that maintained high environmental and safety standards for British shipping companies without competitive disadvantage.
He was also the Director of the British Rig Owners' Association. In 2014, he was appointed Director of Policy and as such had responsibility and oversight of all Chamber policy areas.
Prior to the Chamber, David served in the Royal Navy for 32 years. He commanded three submarines, including a Trident submarine carrying the UK’s strategic deterrent. During a varied career in the Navy, he also worked in the Cabinet Office as the Prime Minister’s adviser on nuclear deterrent, NATO and EU military matters.
Away from work, David loves anything that gets him outside and close to nature.
Gillian has worked in publishing since obtaining a BA in Publishing from Edinburgh Napier University in 1992, initially working on Chambers English Dictionary and then for nearly 20 years in the journal production department for Wiley-Blackwell.
Gillian oversees the day-to-day running of the Witherbys team from the inception of a new title through to publication, to marketing, selling and despatching our products.
She works closely with our shipping industry body clients, authors, typesetter and printers.
Gillian is on the Board of Trustees for Publishing Scotland, the network, trade and development body for the book publishing sector in Scotland. She is also on the West Lothian Regional Board for Developing the Young Workforce (DYW), a Scottish Government initiative to help prepare young people for their future career pathways and transition into the world of work.
Harry is Director of Technical Publishing at Witherbys. Harry leads the Witherby technical team in the development of new publications and updates to existing publications. This includes organising updates and research to expand our titles, conducting working groups with external consultants to review publications, as well as working with industry bodies to meet our publishing deadlines.
The overall aim of his team is to produce accurate, concise, easy-to-understand guidance titles for the shipping industry.
Harry is a former Merchant Navy deck officer and has experience working on board oil tankers. He has worked and travelled in over 60 countries. In 2016, he came ashore and moved to Scotland to work for Witherbys as a technical advisor.
He holds three academic degrees in Marine Operations, Law and Geography. He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and an Associate Fellow of the Royal Institute of Navigation.
He is married and his interests include history, whisky and walking.
Ashley, a graduate with HND Graphic Design Communication and a BA in Applied Graphics Technology, joined Seamanship International in 2004.
Her role has developed from Graphic Design Assistant, working on interactive designs within computer-based training programmes, to Head of Graphics for maritime publications at Witherbys.
Heading up and managing the inhouse team of Graphic Designers her role is diverse, liaising with multiple departments, industry bodies and printers. Adhering to brand guidelines or creating new design concepts, she leads the design team in developing typeset stylesheets, cover designs, illustrations and advertising materials all through to final print production.
Her keen interest in all things creative has also led her to taking classes in calligraphy, cake design, pottery, sushi making and special effects makeup and she is always keen to sketch when she has spare time.
Christine has been with the company since 2007, progressing from Sales and Marketing Assistant to Corporate Account Executive to her current role as Head of Sales and Marketing.
With responsibility for all marketing and sales processes within the company, Christine leads her team to ensure the company's products and services are delivered on time, up to the clients’ standards, while connecting with customers.
In her spare time, Christine enjoys being outdoors and has been trying hard to bag all 282 Munros in Scotland, although at only 42 climbed she has a long way to go!
Alan has been with Witherbys for over 13 years and has been head of IT for over 8 years, having previously filled the role of Content Architect.
As Head of IT, Alan oversees the IT team and all the work that is carried out both in support for our staff in the office and our customers all over the world.
Alan has a Bachelor of Engineering in software development and is fully certified in DSDM Agile Project Management.
Outside of work, Alan is the father to two girls and spends most of his time designing computer and role-playing games, writing science fiction, and playing both guitar and piano.
Alex joined Witherbys in 2008 as Sales Administrator, progressing to Sales and Logistics Manager and then to her current role of Warehouse and Facilities Manager.
Alex is responsible for the smooth running of the warehouse and oversees the day-to-day operations for our building and premises. Leading the warehouse team, Alex specialises in international customs and exporting procedures and has an extensive knowledge of Witherby Publications.
Her thorough attention to detail means orders are dispatched with care and reach our worldwide customers in a timely manner.
Outside of work, Alex is a busy mum of two and enjoys working with horses, allotment gardening and dog walking.