Ian Barclay

Director, Sales & Global Agent Mgmt UTC Overseas, Inc.

Ian Barclay started his shipping career just at the time the country of Rhodesia was transitioning to Zimbabwe and the country emerged from a period of trade embargoes and sanctions. He joined Safmarine-the local arm of the South African Marine Corporation- which morphed into Zimbabwe Marine . It was a period of exciting growth in the transportation industry. There was huge international good will and optimism, with massive growth . New routes were opened, new services put in place.  A fortuitous period that provided wonderful opportunity to not only learn the industry,  but test the boundaries. 

In early 1981 he relocated to Johannesburg, South Africa  to join newly formed US Lines who had just acquired the Moore McCormack Shipping Line .  US Lines in its own indomitable way set about expanding its market share and footprint not just in South Africa but Southern and Central Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands.  Again a period of exciting , high paced growth, opening new frontiers and trying new strategies.

With US Lines demise in 1986, he rejoined Safmarine, working in different branches , in different functions and travelling to office locations in Europe and the Far East. In September , 1999 he was appointed to run Safmarine’s operation in the US . During his relocation from South Africa to the US, Safmarine was acquired by Maersk , and whilst retaining its own identity and a degree of independence was increasingly folded into the Maersk organization. 

Ian was relocated back to South Africa in 2006. The US experience had had a lasting impact on him and his family, and in 2011 they returned to the US where he joined UTC Overseas .