From choosing his career path by letting fate decide, to discovering a passion for researching and positively influencing marine environmental impact, PML Applications’ Chief Executive, Dr Tom Vance, talks us through his career and vision for PML Applications as he settles into his new role as Chief Executive.
In 2025, Tom Vance accepted the role as the new Chief Executive of PML Applications, having worked first at PML (Plymouth Marine Laboratory) in a junior role and then at PML Applications, learning and working his way up to Chief Executive. Today, he leads PML Applications with clear values and a simple mission statement – reducing clients’ environmental impact while helping them to understand the marine environment in which they operate.
In this interview, Tom gives insight into his career and his plans for the future of PML Applications.
How did you start your career in marine science?
“I filled in forms to apply for the fire service and to study marine biology at the University of Plymouth. I sent them both off and waited to see what happened – University of Plymouth contacted me first!
I found true academic inspiration for the very first time at the University of Plymouth. My mind was blown by lectures on evolutionary marine biology from Malcom Jones and John Spicer, and larval ecology from John Bishop. For the first time ever, I found myself running to lectures, rather than away from them. I was lucky enough to complete my HSE IV commercial diving qualifications as part of the course, which was a huge confidence boost and confirmed my dedication to pursuing a career associated with marine biology.
It’s a cliché answer but I always felt drawn to water and curious about the life within it, for as long as I can remember. It was mainly freshwater that I could access as a child, so marine biology had an additional novelty and extra allure that has never faded. Learning to dive allowed me to see this new world first-hand, and I was hooked.
After a quick scan of the job adverts for marine biology in the UK, it became apparent that further qualifications were the most likely route to a salary that could support a family here. I spent the next few years working more obscure jobs than I can remember (well over 30), completing an MRes course at Plymouth focusing on macro algal ecology, and then starting a PhD course at Newcastle University. The PhD had very little funding attached to it, but I was able to focus it on in-situ manipulation of seawater pH and its effect on marine micro and macro invertebrate assemblages with an ocean acidification context, which is exactly what I wanted to do. It was a challenging few years, but I learned a lot about different industries, people, resilience and working conditions!”
Tom Vance Diving
What are your favourite activities outside of work?
“Outside of work, favourite activities for me include sunny family garden meals, running on the coastal path, or when conditions allow, getting back to the water to either swim, dive or fish, but seemingly seldom catch!”
What areas of marine science have you worked in?
“The beauty of working for PML Applications is that you get a taster of pretty much everything. We have worked on marine pollution, environmental surveys, habitat assessments, ecotoxicology studies, behavioural studies, policy advice, parasitology, technology development and many other projects. My main focus used to be invertebrate and algal ecology, although these days that is being replaced by business strategy and people management as our business continues to grow.”
PML at the Totnes Raft Race, 2014
How long have you worked at PML and PML Applications?
“I worked for PML for about six months in 2009 as a very inadequate benthic ecologist. My manager, Louise McNeill, was very kind and tolerant, but she must have been very relieved to get rid of me. I still remember her face after I spent about three days “picking” a benthic sample and obviously getting everything in the wrong category.
Alongside the PML work, at the end of 2009, I started helping out on a commercial project with Tim Fileman for PML Applications involving seawater pH change and ballast water treatment. This was closely aligned to my PhD work, so it seemed quite natural. After that, I was lucky enough to be able to choose either a role in PML or PML Applications. After much deliberation and several extremely helpful and supportive conversations with Paul Somerfield, to whom I will always be indebted, I chose PML Applications – some sixteen years ago!”
Tom Vance at Work, 2017
How has PML Applications grown over time?
“Since 2009, PML Applications has changed hugely, moving from delivering PML-based consultancy to embarking on some very diverse commercial ventures funded by regional development grants, and then refocusing on biofouling, surveys and ballast water.
Now, very rewardingly, we have a strong international reputation in areas like biofouling control, mCDR, and marine surveys and we are re-engaging with PML staff in key areas, with lots of untapped potential still to be explored. Over the years, I have seen consistent themes of a fast pace of work, commercial pressures, rapid impact and industry uptake of our work (which is very rewarding), exposure to a whole host of marine industries (aquaculture, defence, maritime and renewable energy) and lots of time spent with some excellent, brave and stimulating colleagues with positive work ethics and attitudes.”
Reflecting on your time working in marine science, what changes have you seen throughout your career?
“Since I started, it feels to me there has been a tangible shift from industries giving lip service to reducing environmental impacts to actually taking direct action, often because it makes economic sense to do so.
There has also been a general increase in the appreciation and acceptance of marine environmental aspects in many walks of life over the years, which underpins lots of what we do.
In terms of our company, we have worked hard to grow our reputation and influence, and that is now paying off. We are small, but we punch well above our weight in terms of breadth of capability, quality and customer service.”
What do you enjoy about working with the team at PML Applications?
“Where do I start?! Our company consists of a hand-selected team of excellent people who individually and collectively have the most powerful and infectious positive attitude, combined with such a diverse set of skills, experience and capability, and all topped off with an incredible work ethic. I am sure they get tired and embarrassed of me gushing about them, but it is genuinely a privilege and a pleasure to work with and represent our team. I am so proud of what they achieve.”
PML Applications Away Day, 2025
Is there anything in particular you are excited about for the future of PML Applications?
“In order to support PML on the scale it is likely to require in future years, we are going to have to diversify our offerings in PML Applications by supplementing our established consultancy services with other income streams.
In relative terms, it will require a huge shift for us, while still maintaining the technical quality and customer care we have become known for in the consultancy world. It will be a challenge that will push us as a company, and me as an individual, out of our comfort zones, but I am really excited to see where and how far we can go.
We will continue to focus on maintaining and improving technical quality and customer care, while seeking to expand our existing relationships with our already diverse client base.
In order to achieve this, we seek to support and encourage individuals to develop and grow within the company, bringing our values up through the company with them.”
Tom Vance Presents at the International Antifouling Conference, 2025
What do you hope to bring to the role of Chief Executive?
“I want to demonstrate that success in business does not have to mean cutting corners with quality or treating people without respect. I believe that profitability and integrity don’t have to be mutually exclusive, as long as you have the right team working together for something they believe in.”
What does it mean to you to have been chosen to be PML Applications’ Chief Executive?
“To have the support of our employees, the PML Applications Board, and the PML Board in this position is a real honour. This is especially the case given the critical role PML Applications is going to provide in supporting the development and futureproofing of PML and its excellent and very much needed work.
I feel like I have always known the company well and held views on what it might need to improve. However, to be officially charged with that responsibility alongside the ability to actually make changes in a company I genuinely believe in and have invested so much time and energy into, is both daunting and very exciting!”
How does the focus on environmental impact work for clients?
“Our environmental focus works well for our clients in two respects. Firstly, we aim to help our clients make informed choices about which technology or method to use to increase their efficiency, reduce their environmental impact and better understand their environment. Secondly, any profit generated in the process is gift-aided to PML to support their excellent and much-needed marine research, which is often the precursor to effective and enduring environmental conservation and protection.
Our clients genuinely enjoy being able to solve their immediate operational challenges whilst also being able to actively contribute to longer-term marine sustainability.”
Tom Vance Presents PML Applications’ Strategy, 2025
About PML Applications
Part of the PML Group, PML Applications is the commercial subsidiary of PML (Plymouth Marine Laboratory), providing ‘Applied Science for the Blue Economy’. PML Applications was formed in 2002 and has since supported PML through intercompany trading and gift aid, providing PML with approximately £4.46M since 2020. A sum of this money is used by PML to work with PhD candidates and employ apprentices to support the future development of the marine science sector.
PML Applications is a fast paced, commercial, but environmentally focused consultancy with a mission to provide consultancy to industry to reduce their environmental impact and help our clients understand the marine environment in which they operate.
PML Applications’ Values:
We will always:
- Seek to reduce our clients’ environmental impact
- Deliver a professional and enjoyable experience for our clients
- Work with independence, integrity and honesty in terms of data generation and customer confidentiality
- Provide the highest level of customer care possible
- Trust, support and celebrate our colleagues
- Seek to continuously improve how we operate, internally and externally
We will not:
- Undertake work that knowingly results in environmental degradation
- Influence outcomes that are not supported by impartial and robust data
- Undertake work with entities that do not treat our employees, other parties or the marine environment with respect
