Bibby Line Limited Managing Director receives prestigious maritime award

Jebb Kitchen, Managing Director of Bibby Line Limited, has been announced as a winner of the 2021 Merchant Navy Medal for Meritorious Service, awarded to individuals annually on Merchant Navy Day (3^rd September) for outstanding service and contribution to the maritime sector.

The medal is awarded by the State to those eligible seafarers who are judged to have made a significant worthwhile contribution to merchant shipping, its operations, development, personnel, welfare or safety.

Jebb, who has had a 46 year career with Bibby Line Limited, began his life as a seafarer at the age of 17 in 1975 as an apprentice deck cadet on board the MV Warwickshire, qualifying as a master mariner in 1986. After 13 years at sea with the merchant navy, he moved ashore in 1988 and continued his career in the marine industry occupying various roles, working his way up to the role of Managing Director of Bibby Line Limited, which was the deep-sea ship owning arm of the Group until the subsidiary began winding down in 2018.

Jebb was also extensively involved in the establishment of the UK Ministry of Defence Strategic Sealift Service between 2000 and 2003, is a former Fellow of The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers and is currently a Liverymen member of The Worshipful Company of Shipwrights. Jebb also serves as a trustee director of the Merchant Navy Ratings Pension Fund.

Jebb said “It’s an honour to be nominated for such a prestigious award. I’ve been privileged to work alongside so many amazing colleagues over the last 46 years, and want to thank everyone who has supported me throughout my career.”

Jonathan Lewis, Bibby Line Group Managing Director said “Jebb is an outstanding ambassador and an extremely critical part of Bibby Line Group’s shipping sector history. He is an absolute professional, exemplary leader, collaborative colleague, excellent role model and an extremely valued colleague who effortlessly lives the company values.”

Sir Michael Bibby, Bibby Line Group Chairman said “At all times Jebb has exuded the values we would all hope to hold of honesty, diligence, loyalty and commitment and significantly enhanced our (and British Shipping’s) reputation in the marketplace as being professional, knowledgeable, honest, open and fair. He embodies what being part of Bibby Line Group is all about.”

The Merchant Navy Medal for Meritorious Service was first established and awarded to recipients in 2016. The medal is awarded to no more than 20 recipients annually, announced on Merchant Navy Day, September 3. The medals will be officially awarded at a ceremony later in the year.

Bibby Line Group is a diverse, international business operating in the financial services, marine and infrastructure sectors and one of the UK’s oldest family owned businesses. Bibby Marine owns and operates the Bibby WaveMasters, an award-winning fleet of Walk-to-Work Service Operations Vessels, and six floating accommodation barges.