Issue 2 2024, Acquisition International | 11 It is difficult to imagine Aerius Marine UK Ltd having the same successes with somebody else at the helm, and it is for this reason that we are proud to bestow Nicola Taylor with this award, celebrating her distinction not only in the HVAC industry, but across the business landscape. We wish Nicola the best of luck for the future, and eagerly anticipate the new heights she will take the company to. Contact: Nicola Taylor Company: Aerius Marine UK Ltd Web Address: https://www.aerius-marine.com/ HVAC Engineering MD of the Year 2023 (UK): Nicola Taylor Prior to starting a career in shipbuilding at 22 years old, Nicola Taylor was appointed as finance director for MCE Group Plc, put forward by the managing director of the firm where she was working at the time. In just six years, the business was taken from a £1.5m turnover to a £20m turnover, all achieved through a combination of organic and acquisition growth. Being a young woman in a male dominated industry has brought with it a series of challenges, with Nicola having to overcome a series of obstacles along the way, something that she has ultimately excelled in. When asked how she tackled such challenges, Nicola replies, “By staying strong, professional, sticking to factual data, and not rising to ego-driven arguments.” Through this, Nicola has demonstrably added to the rich history of the firm, serving as an inspiration to those looking to her follow in her footsteps and employees within the organisation. Key to Nicola’s success has been the fostering of close relationships with employees, something achieved through the nurturing of a culture that prizes openness and transparency while operating with a flat hierarchy. The team view each other as peers, treating everyone with the uppermost mutual respect and embodying an enthusiasm for their craft, particularly regarding international projects. As an established leader in the sector defined by innovation and cuttingedge technologies, Nicola recognises the importance of investing heavily in the ongoing development of the team, attracting and retaining some of the best and brightest minds in the business. When Nicola joined the Imtech Group of companies in 2004, it was forecast heavy losses, yet by implementing her skills and working effectively with her team, the organisation today is not only stable, but thriving across the world in areas such as Germany and Australia. Throughout her time at the company, Nicola has amassed a series of notable achievements, such as concluding large claim orders with detailed, factual information; concluding governmental financial audits on a large project; and creating an overseas subsidiary company from scratch. Upon moving to the managing director position, Nicola possessed a series of strong growth plans and a strategic vision for what the future of the company should like. The effective implementation of these plans ultimately resulted in her securing the respect of her peers in this male dominated environment, and Nicola is proud to be “recognised as a tough but fair manager with a listening ear to all internal and external stakeholders”. She possesses strong leadership skills and a compassionate management style, with these skills being recognised in her receiving the Successful Woman’s Achievement Award for the North East of England at the age of 26. Today, Nicola has two young children, and as a mother, wife, and the managing director of a successful company, a new challenge has emerged: juggling it all. As she explains, “This is a challenge that I manage rather than overcome”, with the difficulties managing personal and professional live being something that Nicola works a great deal on in order to ensure success in both areas. Nicola states, “Success is not a given, it has to be earned, and comes with hard work.” As for what advice Nicola would give, she tells us, “Always stay strong and believe in your ability. Do not allow a male dominated boardroom to raise self-doubt, [and] remember to have fun along the way.” A market leader in maritime HVAC solutions, Aerius Marine UK Ltd focuses primarily on HVAC solutions for passenger ships and navy vessels, with a rich history that can be traced all the way back to 1858. Today, the company is a turnkey supplier and system integrator, serving as a reliable partner throughout the lifecycle of a ship. Integral to the company’s success is Nicola Taylor, whose journey with the company began in the shipbuilding industry more than 20 years ago when she took on the role of finance director within the Imtech/ RH Marine and Aerius UK group companies. Nicola has been managing director for Aerius Marine UK for more than two years now, and we catch up with her in order to learn more about her journey.
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