Stonefort Marine
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About Stonefort

Two maritime careers.
One business.

Matt Stoney and Mark Fortnum spent their careers running maritime operations at sea and ashore. Stonefort Marine puts that experience to work in two ways: advising the businesses, and finding the people who run them.

Our story

We set out to say it as it is.

Mark and Matt established Stonefort Marine in 2020, following careers that between them have spanned the bridge, the engine room, the terminal and the boardroom.

One of the most rewarding parts of advisory work is being trusted to make recommendations based on the facts. Independence gives us the freedom to say what we believe the evidence shows: clearly, honestly and without being influenced by commercial interests or internal agendas.

That same principle led us into executive search and recruitment. We saw first-hand that the industry’s skills and experience gap was becoming an increasingly critical business issue. Finding, attracting and retaining the right people is now fundamental to the resilience and future capability of maritime organisations.

Stonefort brings those two perspectives together: practical maritime experience, independent advice and a deep understanding of the people needed to deliver it.

What we do

The partners

You deal with us, not an account manager.

Between them, Matt and Mark have held most of the roles they now recruit for and run the kinds of operations they now review.

Matt Stoney, partner at Stonefort Marine

Partner

Matt Stoney

Matt has over 30 years in the shipping industry. He started as a Dual Officer Cadet and finished his sea career as a Chief Engineer, before moving ashore in 2006 to lead teams across technical, commercial and people disciplines.

His most recent roles were bp Head of Commercial Voyage Operations, leading a global team across 7,000+ operated, time chartered and spot fixtures a year, and bp Shipping Director, Singapore. Alongside his professional engineering qualifications he holds an MBA with Distinction from HULT (Ashridge).

In a few words: idea creator, problem solver, efficiency addict.

mattstoney@stonefortmarine.com +44 (0) 7368 378975
Mark Fortnum, partner at Stonefort Marine

Partner

Mark Fortnum

Mark is a chartered Master Mariner with 35 years of marine operational and strategic experience across shipping and marine terminals, through two energy majors and marine contracting. He has been a marine pilot, port manager, ship and terminal assessor and auditor, and has led global commercial, technical and crew manning organisations.

He held board-level appointments at OCIMF, SIGTTO and the MNTB, and was bp Shipping Vice President Technical and Vetting, then VP Safety & Operational Risk and Group Marine Director. He holds a BSc and an MBA with Distinction from Bayes, City University London.

In a few words: strategic thinker, drive for excellence, development of diverse teams.

markfortnum@stonefortmarine.com +44 (0) 7833 943130

Words we believe in.

  • Respect Everyone has the same opportunity, irrespective of their background, biological make-up or other perceived difference.
  • Integrity Build and maintain relationships that are strong, honest and transparent.
  • Improvement Strive to make a real difference, to make tomorrow better than today.
60+ Years combined experience
3000+ Leaders supported worldwide
2 Arms of one business
6 Sectors covered

The results

What that adds up to for a client.

01

Organisations that excel

Recommendations that are realistic, deliver real value, and carry buy-in from the teams who have to execute them.

02

Risks and rewards that are balanced

A framework for a sustainable business, with risk understood in proportion to the reward on offer.

03

Ideas that create value

A new perspective, tested against sixty years of operational reality rather than a template.

What clients say

Executive search

“Having a conversation with Stonefort was unlike any other agency. You have knowledge that only another marine professional would have.”
Candidate Operations role

Technical & advisory

“Stonefort's penetration into a niche market, and use of deep marine experience to challenge what we thought we needed, was very impressive.”
Partner Maritime legal practice

Executive search

“Your shortlist helped us find someone we didn't even know we were looking for!”
Hiring manager Owner/Operator

Executive search

“I know I wasn't successful this time round but it is positive for the future. I would just like to say a big thank you for your time through the process, it was very valuable. I hope to deal with you again sometime.”
Candidate Not appointed

Executive search

“Thank you for your initial approach and all the support throughout the process. I couldn't have done it without you.”
Candidate Appointed

Get in touch

Tell us what you are trying to solve.

A short conversation is usually enough for us to tell you whether we are the right people, and to point you to the right arm of the business.

TECHNICAL & ADVISORY

Need independent marine support

Speak to Matt or Mark

EXECUTIVE SEARCH

Hiring for a senior role

Speak to Mark or Matt