Stephen Ferguson: ready for the call, clear on the direction

From fire service to boardroom

Stephen Ferguson's route to Managing Director of Maersk Training UK did not start in a training room. It started in fire service management at Highlands and Islands Airports, followed by years spent building emergency-response training for the oil and gas industry – work that put safety, preparation and a clear head under pressure at the centre of everything he did.

From there he moved into Business Development and Training Management at AquaTerra Training, where he began to see how understanding customers, developing people and running a business were really the same job wearing different hats. He joined Maersk Training in a senior sales role, moved through Head of Commercial and General Manager positions, and is now Managing Director for the UK.

Running alongside all of it: Stephen has been a Watch Commander with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service since 2005. It has kept him close to the practical side of emergency response – and it has shaped how he leads far more than any job title has.

Incident command: calm, clear, decisive

“Incident command taught me that when the pressure is on, people need calm, clear direction. It is not the time for long meetings or complicated language.”

Command experience taught Stephen to read a situation fast, make a decision, and make sure the team has what it needs – no more, no less. But he's equally shaped by the other side of his career: the training and commercial roles that taught him to listen first. You can't support a customer, or a team, until you understand what they're trying to achieve and what's standing in the way.

He brings both together – decisive when it matters, but never at the expense of keeping people involved and supported. And, as he puts it, a bit of humour at the right moment never hurts; it can make a tough day feel a little more manageable.

Setting direction, staying close

As Managing Director of Maersk Training UK, Stephen leads the UK business and works with the team to make sure training stays useful, practical and valuable to customers. Having worked in Senior Sales, Commercial and General Management roles within Maersk Training himself, he understands what it takes to join up what customers need, what the team can deliver, and what the business needs to achieve.

For Stephen, the job comes down to three things: setting clear direction, staying close to the people doing the work, and creating an environment where people can get on with doing a great job.

Cutting through the noise

“Being clear on the purpose helps people make sensible decisions and move forward together.”

When priorities compete, Stephen starts by getting a clear view of the situation and working out what matters most – without losing sight of the people involved. He looks at the facts, weighs the impact on people, customers and the wider business, then makes sure everyone understands the direction of travel.

He's candid that this doesn't mean having every answer immediately. “If we did, life would be far too easy,” he says. But clarity of purpose is what lets people make good calls and move forward together.

Training that makes a real difference

Stephen wants Maersk Training UK to be known for training that genuinely makes a difference – credible, practical, and confidence-building when people need it most. It's a thread that runs through every stage of his career, from emergency response to instruction to commercial leadership: good preparation makes a huge difference when people are under pressure.

He's equally focused on the team behind the training – building a place where people feel supported, trusted and proud of the work they do. Keep listening to customers, keep developing people, keep focused on what genuinely adds value, and the rest – he believes – takes care of itself.

Family, football, and the fire service

Family comes first for Stephen outside of work. He has two children, who he credits with keeping life in perspective. He's also a regular on the football pitch, the running track and the golf course, and makes the most of any chance to get outdoors – running, he jokes, is good for clearing the head, even if it hasn't yet made him dramatically quicker.

He remains deeply committed to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and counts receiving his 20-year service award in 2025 among his career highlights.

“It is a privilege to remain connected to a service and a team that are there for people on some of their hardest days.”

Advice for the early career

“Leadership is not about having all the answers or taking all the credit; it is about helping the people around you succeed.”

Stephen's advice to anyone starting out: stay open to learning, and don't worry if your career isn't mapped out from day one – his certainly wasn't. Work hard, take responsibility, and say yes to opportunities that help you grow. Keep your feet on the ground and treat people well – there's something to learn from every role and every person you work with.

And if you can keep a sense of humour along the way, he adds, it makes the hard work a lot more enjoyable.