Navantia UK appoints Steve Chisholm as General Manager at Methil
Navantia UK has appointed Steve Chisholm as General Manager of its Methil facility in Fife, Scotland.
Steve brings more than 30 years of senior leadership experience spanning the renewables, nuclear, defence, oil & gas and advanced manufacturing sectors. He joins from Global Energy Group, where he was latterly Director of Operations and Innovation. Steve has led major fabrication programmes across multiple sectors, managed the design and construction planning for a next-generation wind tower manufacturing facility, and played a central role in securing the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport – an initiative forecast to attract over £3 billion of investment and create more than 10,000 jobs.
His experience also extends to high-integrity national infrastructure programmes, including a c.£65 million manufacturing and construction contract for Hinkley Point C nuclear power station, a 10-year contract to manufacture high integrity pressure vessels for Sellafield Ltd, and major FPSO shipyard drydocking requiring a project workforce of over 2500 personnel.
A well-recognised figure in the UK energy industry, Steve served as Chair of the Renewable UK Supply Chain Working Group from 2021 to 2024 and was a member of the cross-industry team that established the basis for the Offshore Wind Industry Growth Plan. His career includes board-level roles at KCA Deutag, where he established and led a joint venture drilling company in Iran, and at Macgregor Energy Services, where turnover grew 5X in a 5-year period. He is co-author of international patents in oil and gas and welding technologies.
The appointment comes at an important time for Methil. Since Navantia UK completed the acquisition of Harland & Wolff’s four UK facilities in January 2025, the yard has returned to full operational status with a growing portfolio of work across defence, energy and commercial markets.
The FSS transport barge Navantia UK Seahorse – an £8 million strategic investment to support the nationally important Fleet Solid Support programme for the Royal Navy – was recently completed ahead of schedule, positioning the facility to support future UK defence programmes.
The site has also recently been awarded a competitive international vessel build export contract, and its workforce has grown from 180 to 260, with 110 further people being recruited to deliver the new work.
Navantia UK recently announced a further £12 million investment in Methil to support a dedicated skills centre, modern machinery, infrastructure improvements and new technology, taking the total investment in the yard to £26.7 million. Total Navantia UK investment across all four UK facilities now stands at £157 million.
Donato Martínez, Chief Executive Officer of Navantia UK, said:
“Steve’s appointment reflects the ambition we have for Methil and for Navantia UK’s Scottish operations. He brings exactly the blend of operational rigour, industry relationships and strategic vision that this role demands. With a strong pipeline, significant investment and an expanding workforce, Methil is entering an exciting new chapter – and Steve is the right leader to drive it forward.”
Steve Chisholm said:
“I am delighted and privileged to join Navantia UK at such a significant time for the Methil yard and for Scottish manufacturing. Methil has a proud industrial heritage, a highly skilled workforce and a clear growth trajectory across defence, energy and commercial markets. I look forward to working alongside the workforce to deliver on the exciting programmes that lie ahead.”
Steve will be based at the Methil facility and will join Navantia UK’s Executive Committee. He takes up the role with immediate effect.
His appointment is the latest in a series of senior hires at Methil as Navantia UK strengthens the yard’s leadership capability. Craig MacDonald recently joined the site as Project Director, bringing 15 years of experience in the delivery of complex defence and maritime infrastructure projects for the Ministry of Defence, including a £90 million ammunition jetty and a £150 million programme of marine works at HMNB Clyde.
