Pole Star Space Applications Limited (UK) - a privately owned UK technology company that has been providing vessel monitoring, regulatory compliance & risk management services to the shipping industry since 1998 - today announces the internal appointment of Julian Longson to the position of Managing Director of the company.
Mr. Longson takes the helm as Pole Star launches its next generation API-enabled platform and embarks on an ambitious strategy to become the platform of universal maritime connectivity.
Julian has been central to Pole Star’s growth since it was formed in 1998, originally joining the start-up team as Business Development Manager, before progressing to the Pole Star Board as Business Development Director and more recently Chief Business Development Officer.
He is a graduate of the UK’s Cranfield Institute of Technology with a MSc in Applied Remote Sensing (the application of satellite earth observation technologies) and, since his arrival at Pole Star, has been formative in the maritime industry’s adoption of satellite-based ship tracking through the creation of the groundbreaking Purplefinder service, and subsequent regulatory adoption of the Ship Security Alert System (SSAS) and Long-Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) system.
Commenting on his new appointment, Julian Longson said, “It is of course a privilege to have been asked by the Pole Star Board to step into this role at such a critical juncture of Pole Star’s development. With increased regulatory compliance pressures being placed on the whole maritime (and associated services) sector and the advent of cost-effective technology infrastructure, the next few years will witness a massive and disruptive change where vessels and everything on them will become increasingly connected to shore. Software driven solutions will emerge that will significantly increase the volume, variety and velocity of data, which in turn will drive the provision of truly unique app-based content and analytical products. Pole Star intends to be both a provider and facilitator of such products.”
With a deep knowledge and expert understanding of the satellite communications, satellite earth observation, and associated maritime applications business, Mr. Longson’s 28-year career has seen him work with international leaders in this field in the UK, US, Canada, and Italy.
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