Bob Sanguinetti has always been a man of the sea. But where once he commanded warships, today he’s at the helm of Port of Aberdeen – one of the UK’s busiest and most ambitious maritime hubs.
His journey from the Royal Navy to CEO of the port has gone from navigating conflict zones to steering Aberdeen toward a greener future, using it as a testing ground for cutting-edge technology.
Last year he oversaw the port’s best financial performance in its 888-year history, following the opening of its £420 million South Harbour in 2023.
But it’s not just about the numbers – it’s also about ensuring the trust port leaves a legacy of innovation, sustainability and growth for generations to come.
It’s also clear that for Bob the sea isn’t just a career choice – it’s an obsession.
Early fascination with the sea
Born and raised in Gibraltar, his childhood was spent clambering on rooftops, binoculars in hand, watching ships come and go from the bustling port.
He would even write letters to ship commanders, asking them about their vessels’ specifications.
This fascination eventually led him straight to a career in the Royal Navy.
Fast forward to 2025, and that same enthusiasm still burns brightly. As he rushes into his office overlooking the port for our interview, his energy is unmistakable.
He’s visibly excited about the arrival of the HMS Somerset—the first Royal Navy frigate ever to dock in the South Harbour.
The frigate had been tracking Russian ships in the channel and was dropping into Aberdeen’s port for supplies.
“I’ve always had a fascination with the sea,” he says. “Growing up, I spent most of my time on or in the water. I loved the idea of adventure and travel and seeing Royal Navy ships coming in and out I put two and two together and thought how about a career in the Navy.”
The first in his family to join the military, Bob left Gibraltar aged 18 to complete a year’s basic training before attending Oxford University on a scholarship.
What followed was a quarter of a century doing “really exciting stuff” in the Navy.
The highlight, says Bob, was rising to the position of commanding officer on both a minesweeper and a frigate.
Navy gives ‘a sense of purpose’
Later, he worked his way up to head of intelligence at the Royal Navy’s national operational headquarters in Northwood.
“I think the attraction was that it was very easy to get motivated and excited about the job,” he explains.
“Because being in an organisation like the Navy gives you a sense of purpose, a sharp focus, a sense of belonging to a team. The camaraderie is very, very strong.”
His career in the Navy spanned everything from serving as a watchkeeper on the bridge of a ship, to navigating and commanding warships in global hotspots.
It was thrilling work, he says, constantly evolving, and always with a new challenge around the corner.
“In the Navy, you change jobs every 18 months or two years,” he says. “But you become laser-focused on what you’re doing in each role. For me, it was a string of sea jobs, and I was very lucky to have that.”
He also served during periods of conflict.
“I was the navigator of a destroyer in the first Gulf War in 1991,” he says. “And then I was the commanding officer of a frigate during the Kosovo campaign in 1999.”
Bob Sanguinetti, Port of Aberdeen CEO
After his service in the Navy, Sanguinetti’s career took a new direction. He became CEO of the Port of Gibraltar, then later took on a leadership role at the UK Chamber of Shipping.
When the opportunity arose to lead the Port of Aberdeen in 2021, he jumped at it.
Aberdeen’s bold goal of becoming the UK’s first net-zero port by 2040 is a challenge the CEO is eager to take on.
He explained: “When I visited Port of Aberdeen in 2019, I was struck by the important role it could play.
“The large number of energy companies that operate out of Aberdeen are all focused on making the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.”
The chance to work with cutting-edge technologies and contribute to the transition to more sustainable fuels was highly appealing.
“And not just that,” he added. “It had the biggest marine construction projects underway in the whole of the UK through the building of South Harbour, so had all the ingredients for what’s turned out to be a massively exciting job.”
Aberdeen’s latest transition
Despite the downturn in oil and gas, Bob says there remains a great deal of buzz and opportunity around Aberdeen.
“I would say that the reason why the port’s been around for almost 900 years and been successful in navigating through those transitions is by being proactive and by using innovation,” he adds.
“We need to work closely with our partners across the community, both in the private sector and the public sector and face those challenges head-on.”
Outside of his professional commitments, Bob, his wife Sylvia and dog Rocky have settled into life in Aberdeenshire.
“I love the outdoors, I’m very active and I live in the most beautiful countryside in the UK,” he says.
“I have a very active springer spaniel that demands a lot of exercise, so when I can I get out on the hills or I’ll get on my bike or jump into a loch or the sea to go swimming.”
He’s quick to point out how his connection to the community has motivated him in his role as CEO at the port.
“Everyone talks about the Aberdeen village, and I felt that sense of community the moment I arrived,” he says.
“It’s a very welcoming, multi-national place and the local community is incredibly friendly, which really makes me feel like part of it.
“I don’t consider myself to be in transit, we bought our own place here and it’s very much our home, that makes my job much easier and much more natural.”
Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025
Bob highlights some of his proudest moments at the Port of Aberdeen, including the welcoming of more cruise ships, the opening of the £420m South Harbour, and the highly anticipated Tall Ships Races event, which is set to be Scotland’s largest gathering of 2025.
“What’s truly important is the ability to reinforce the richness of the maritime heritage of Aberdeen and the north-east of Scotland,” he adds.
“Crucially, it’s about opening up these opportunities to the wider community—especially to young people.
“For many, this is the stuff dreams are made of. It could be a chance encounter, like a youngster visiting the port with their parents, stepping aboard one of the majestic sailing boats, and suddenly realising, ‘this is a turning point in my life’.”
Conversation