The IMEC secretariat is based in London and the staff are provided by Maritime International Secretariat Services Ltd. (MARISEC), a specialist organisation created to provide administrative support to international trade and employer associations in the maritime sector.

The Secretary General is David Dearsley

David Dearsley served at sea with the British and Commonwealth Shipping Company as a deck officer on general cargo ships before coming ashore to work in the company’s marine personnel department. Later David transferred to Gulf Oil Marine, as Fleet Personnel Officer and then to the General Council of British Shipping.

In the GCBS, David first worked as Manager in the labour supply operation that at the time supplied some 3,000 British seafarers each week to UK companies, and was then appointed Manager of Industrial Relations Legislation and Policy.

In 1984 David became the Secretary of the International Shipping Federation and at the same time he was appointed Secretary General of what was then a relatively small organisation, the International Maritime Employers’ Committee. In March 2003 David stood down from his ISF role to concentrate on IMEC activities, while remaining as a part-time adviser to ISF on labour affairs.  In February 2006 David ceased being an adviser to the ISF.

In addition to his IMEC role, currently David is also Secretary to the Joint Negotiating Group.

The Personal Assistant to the Secretary General is Melanie Foard.

Melanie joined IMEC in October 2005 having spent nearly 19 years in the Construction Industry working for one of the largest Consulting Engineers in the world. Her duties during that time included Personal Assistant to the Marketing Director in her early years being promoted later to Marketing Manager. In 2002 the emphasis and management of the company changed and her role evolved to incorporate not only marketing but also business development and Personal Assistant to the Managing Director. Her expertise covers the usual PA duties as well as office management, administration, customer management, marketing and financial management.