From Royal Marine to Quality Lead – A Career Built on Purpose
Meet James Moreland, our Quality Lead, whose remarkable career journey spans military service, frontline policing and offshore operations.
In the latest episode of our Meet the Experts series, James shares a story of resilience, reinvention, and a deep commitment to quality and continuous improvement.
Find out how his unique path brought him to Altrad Sparrows — and why he’s so passionate about helping our teams get things right, every time.
Could you tell us about your educational background and prior professional experience?
I left school at 16 and began my first career in the Armed Forces. I was fortunate to make it through the eight-months Royal Marines training, and I went on to spend over 13 years serving on both land and sea. During that time, I was deployed to the Gulf War and completed operational tours in Iraq, Northern Ireland and Sierra Leone.
The military shaped me profoundly – teaching resilience, teamwork, and the importance of clear communication. I specialised in small arms weapons and tactics, and later had the privilege of passing on my experience by training new recruits.
After leaving the Marines, I joined Grampian Police as a beat officer before specialising in firearms and close protection. This was another period of working within a high-performing team and developing transferable skills that have stayed with me ever since.
In 2007, I took on a role in Iraq with the US Department of Defence, supporting reconstruction efforts there. Our small team assessed infrastructure projects ranging from village schools to water treatment plants and hospitals. It was a challenging environment and after 2.5 years, I returned to the UK.
My introduction to the offshore industry and my offshore career began as Inspection Technician for Non-Destructive Testing, Lifting Equipment and the Use of Rope Access before moving into HSEQ roles in 2012. During this time, I gained knowledge in the requirements of various international standards covering ISO, API, DNV and others that resulted in the successful realisation of compliant and certified management systems.
When did you join Altrad Sparrows and what roles have you held?
I joined Altrad Sparrows in 2021 as a Quality Advisor in the HSEQ department and quickly felt part of a strong, supportive team. In 2022, I stepped into my current role as Quality Lead, where I enjoy supporting our operational teams and helping drive excellence across the business.
What drew you to quality management?
My time in the military and police taught me the value of clear, concise, structured processes and practical guidance that people can trust and follow. Quality management felt like a natural progression – it’s about ensuring teams have what they need to deliver effectively and safely.
I enjoy working at the heart of the business, helping embed a culture of continual improvement, identifying opportunities for growth, and minimising risk through effective communication and collaboration.
Can you share a challenge you’ve faced and what you learned from it?
Rather than one single standout project, I think every new challenge brings something valuable. Early on, I supported the certification towards API standards across different regions. Balancing time zones, training teams, and embedding new processes was demanding, but seeing it come together was hugely satisfying.
For me, challenges are where strong engagement and communication really make the difference to find solutions.
What shapes your daily routine as Quality Lead?
I focus on maintaining a “do it right” mindset across the company and ensuring our team is approachable and supportive. Day to day, I work closely with colleagues at all levels to provide guidance, align with client expectations, and keep continual improvement moving forward. Communication is key to everything we do.
Finally, how would you sum up your expertise?
My route into this industry has been a little different, and I feel fortunate to have worked in such a variety of environments that shaped who I am today.
The military gave me strong foundations and a mindset of always learning. I don’t see myself as an expert – there’s always more to learn – but I measure my success in how well I share my knowledge and support others to deliver at their best.