What an event that was, the third to attend today at the heart of Athens in the iconic British Ambassador’s Residence in Kolonaki.
Live communication is the name of the game nowadays in the media, and Emma Collier co-founder and partner at further and further, begun with H.E. Matthew Lodge, HM Ambassador for Greece :
HM Ambassador Matthew Lodge* underscored that what excites him most about hosting events like Sedna’s entry into the Greek market at the Embassy is the chance to promote economic ties and highlight the longstanding maritime legacy shared by Greece and the UK. The ambassador described the convergence of Greek shipping on the continued rise and innovating, leading in many sectors, with the modern innovation and technology, which is a strength of the UK, as a match made in heaven.
We continue with Bill Dobie, Founder and CEO of Sedna:
Bill Dobie, Sedna’s CEO, reflects on Sedna’s experience entering the Greek market, noting how quickly opportunities open up once trust is established and people see you’re committed to being present, not just selling. He also shares that he wishes more people questioned the assumption that email should be replaced. To him, email mirrors the maritime world — open, imperfect, and built on human relationships — which is why the real challenge is improving it, not abandoning it.
Afterwards the minimic went to Tom Castley, Chief Sales Officer at Sedna:
Tom Castley, Chief Sales Officer for Sedna, shares advice from an experienced colleague for sales professionals in the maritime industry. The advice includes carrying a briefcase in the left hand to avoid a sweaty handshake, standing in reception to meet guests at their level, and appearing to be on a call when a late guest arrives to create parity. Castley emphasizes the importance of learning from more experienced individuals and believes these lessons have stood the test of time.
and finally, Theo Papoutsoglou, Business Development Manager at Ascenz Marorka
Theo Papoutsoglou, Business Development Manager Ascenz Marorka, emphasizes the importance of personal relationships in the Greek market. He highlights that building strong connections with clients is a significant, personal investment that often goes unrecognized. Theo stresses that understanding the individuals behind the companies in the Greek market and their long-term commitment is crucial before engaging in business discussions.
Τhe reception was unique given the nice weather conditions prevailing as well as the unique garden surroundings of the Ambassador’s Residence, the former house of the Eleftherios Venizelos and Elena Schilizzi-Venizelos. Venizelos was Greece’s prime minister and Elena a London raised Chian from a very important and famous family internationally known and acclaimed.
Excellent dips and drinks and discussions on the Sedna product and services went on until late. Excellent was also the organisation by the host’s / embassy’s officials and Sedna personnel.
Did I hear you say: “redefining communications all over planet ocean?
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**Viewers can read here below the Ambassador’s speaking points: HMA’s Speaking points for event with Sedna Communication Ltd.
23/10/2025
- Good evening, everyone and thank you for being here at this beautiful garden of the British Ambassador’s residence. It is a real pleasure to welcome you to this special occasion as we mark an exciting new chapter for Sedna, for Compass Air, and for the wider maritime technology community across both the UK and Greece.
- The maritime relationship between our two countries is long-standing and rich, with economic ties deeply rooted in the sea. For decades, the UK has worked alongside the Greek shipping industry through services in classification, finance, law and insurance. And although the role and influence of the City of London for maritime services continues to be of real importance, we are entering a new era where innovation, artificial intelligence, and digital solutions are becoming equally critical to global shipping. And it is in this space that companies like Sedna, are thriving.
- The UK is home to a growing cluster of companies developing advanced maritime technology solutions. These companies are not only globally competitive, but they are also increasingly relevant to the needs of one of the world’s leading ship owning nations – Greece. The UK’s strength in innovation can help drive the digital transformation that the Greek shipping industry is already embracing, enabling smarter, faster and more efficient operations across the industry.
- Greece remains a global maritime powerhouse and leads in certain vessel types like tankers and LNG carriers, and the UK has a significant interest in maritime affairs due to its history as an island nation and its leadership role in the global maritime sector, particularly as the host nation for the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Ladies and Gentlemen, it won’t perhaps surprise you then that, arriving as Ambassador here in August 2021, I focussed the Embassy’s attention and efforts on shipping and UK-Greece ties in that sector.
- Last year the UK and Greek governments signed an MoU to enhance cooperation in the maritime sector. That agreement signalled a clear commitment to strengthening this long-lasting relationship, not only through services, education and institutional alignment, but also through the adoption of innovation and emerging technologies.
- However, while government frameworks provide direction, it is ultimately the private sector that drives progress. Businesses like yours, are the ones taking initiatives, delivering results, and shaping the future of the industry through innovation, breakthrough achievements and shared vision.
- Today we celebrate a powerful example of this vision in action. Sedna’s acquisition of Compass Air represents a significant step in bringing together two complementary forces in maritime data – driven communications. Through this milestone, Sedna is expanding its international reach and deepening its engagement with shipowners and operators at the heart of the global fleet. Let us celebrate this achievement, which represents a significant step forward in our bilateral economic relationship, and wish you continued success on the road ahead.
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