Senior officer reshuffle for the ICS

Taking over from Glenn Murphy FICS as International Chair of the Institute, is Luis Bernat FICS. Krishnan Subramaniam FICS is taking on the role of vice chairman and Punit Oza FICS is stepping into the shoes of vice president.

“On behalf of the ICS, I’d like to offer a warm welcome to Luis, Krishnan and Punit in their roles. Their combined experience and forward-thinking will be of considerable benefit to the Institute as we move forward.” Robert Hill FICS, director, ICS.

Collective wisdom

Prior to his election as chair, Mr Bernat held the position of vice chair. ICS, since 2021.

He brings to the role almost 50 years in the industry which includes, most recently, his role as chartering manager for TSL Shipping & Trading. But he also has vast experience in all levels of shipping including agency, shipbroking, tonnage operator and shipowner, especially within the fields of reefer, dry, breakbulk and chemical tankers.

“As a practicing chartered shipbroker, it is a very rewarding moment taking over from my predecessor. I would like to thank all my fellow board and council members, the president and the former chairman,” he said.

”They have guided and supported me the past two years during my vice chairmanship. I look forward to working with our senior officers and all the staff at the Secretariat.”

Taking on the role of vice chairman is Krishnan Subramaniam FICS, who has over three decades of experience in logistics, supply chain and training in the oil and gas and petrochemical industries. His focus is on skills development and digitalisation.

Based in Dubai, he also holds the position of head of professional development at the ICS Middle East Branch. As well as his functions at the Institute, Mr Subramaniam serves as adjunct faculty member of the S P Jain School of Global Management, strategic advisor of Transworld Group and is a member of the steering committee ICC UAE Customs and Trade Facilitation Commission.

Newly appointed vice president Punit Oza FICS, based in Singapore, has over three decades of commercial and operational experience working with leading maritime and trading companies. In 2023, he founded Maritime NXT. The company offers a range of advisory, consultancy, training and mentoring services, as well as investing in the scale-up of maritime start-ups.