The team at ABL Group shares the passion, vision and values for working in energy and the world’s oceans, de-risking and driving the energy transition. We are driven by the idea that the best work is born from professionalism, diligence… and fun. You know ABL Group, but do you know our team?
- Name: Bernardo Xavier
- Role: Regional Director of Longitude Brazil, Proper Marine
- Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Favourite Song: #41 – Dave Matthews Band
- Hobbies Outside of Work: Playing guitar or street running.
Bernardo Xavier | Regional Director of Longitude in Brazil, Proper Marine
Can you give us a glimpse into your day-to-day life at Longitude?
Since the beginning of this year, I’ve taken on the role of Regional Director at Proper Marine, which has given me a broader view of our operations. With this new
perspective, I’ve scaled back my involvement in technical tasks to focus more on day-to-day management, making sure our entire team is fully operational and aligned
with the strategic goals of Longitude and the ABL Group.
I work closely with Guilherme Leal, our Operations Director, to ensure our technical team is hitting those performance metrics while delivering projects effectively. Alongside Hugo Jordão, our Business Development Director, I collaborate to guarantee that our clients receive top-notch service and that our commercial initiatives in Brazil are rolling out as planned.. Plus, I team up with Felipe Amaral, the Head of Project Management, to keep an eye on projects, making sure they’re managed efficiently
within the agreed scopes and timeline.
I also support our back office departments, ensuring that everyone has the necessary information and inputs required for activities. My role includes acting as the focal point between regional demands, supported by Jake Anderson and the Longitude/ABL Group team, ensuring that our regional goals are integrated with the global strategy and that the integration process is effective. I participate in alignment sessions that allow us to adapt global guidelines to our local reality, promoting clear communication and collaboration among teams.
In addition, I continue to play an active role as project coordinator for PRIO, Trident Energy and Modec – long-time clients of ours. I receive their enquiries, elaborate commercial proposals and work with our technical disciplines to provide the project deliverables required following up to ensure their expectations are met.
In general, my day-to-day is quite dynamic and filled with activities, and I am extremely happy to work with talented and committed teams. I am surrounded by exceptional people, both in Brazil and among the new colleagues we have gained through the merger. The potential radiating from the group is impressive, and this contagious energy motivates me to deliver ever-better results.
What inspired you to join your profession?
My inspiration comes from my father, a military veteran and Navy officer who retired after a long career. Growing up, I was always surrounded by ships and the sea. During school holidays, he would take me on small trips on board vessels in the Brazilian Navy fleet – especially the Niterói Frigate. I can still vividly recall those moments: sailing at full speed, cutting through the waves at 30 knots, struggling to stay upright in the wind! Those experiences ignited a genuine passion for the maritime world within me.
On my 15th birthday, he gifted me a commemorative book about the Navy, which detailed every ship in the fleet. I memorized each ship’s functions, features, and history; that book became my constant companion for many years.
Naturally, I wanted to follow in his footsteps and pursue a career in the Navy. However, entering the Naval Academy here in Brazil requires passing a highly competitive exam. Unfortunately, I didn’t make the cut. To give you an idea, the year I applied, there were 5,000 candidates competing for just 40 spots. I still vividly remember taking the exam at the iconic Maracanã football stadium in Rio de Janeiro back in 2003.
Despite that setback, I decided to study Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I was fortunate enough to be accepted into the program, and from the very first class, I was completely captivated by the subjects. It was during this time that I reconnected with two friends from my hometown of Petrópolis, Guilherme Leal and Hugo Jordão, who have since become great friends and colleagues I have the privilege of working with today.
At the end of university, in 2008, I started an internship at DNV, where I was actually hired by Guilherme, who was already a Naval Architect at the time. That’s where we grew closer and started dreaming about creating Proper Marine. Since the start of Proper, our journey has taken us into structural engineering, naval architecture, and various other disciplines that the market has demanded. And here we are, 16 years later, still going strong!
Can you share with us something exciting that you are currently working on?
Yes, as part of our integration with the ABL Group, we’re experiencing a rich exchange of information and processes, creating a fertile ground for new ideas and opportunities while enhancing synergy between our teams every day. As we adapt to the ABL Group’s systems, we also have the chance to contribute our own best practices and innovations.
In this context, Proper has been developing a valuable project management tool that we use daily to control documents – from creation and revision tracking to deadlines and client deliveries.
At the moment, I’m collaborating with our Innovation and Analytics team, led by Ícaro Reis and Pedro
Gehrt, along with the Longitude team, to integrate this tool into SharePoint. The goal is to make it accessible for our colleagues at Longitude, allowing them to incorporate it into their workflows as well. We’re really excited about this initiative and hope to roll it out soon!
Looking ahead, what do you think is key to driving sustainability in your industry?
You can’t talk about sustainability without mentioning the incredible people who choose to work at ABL Group every single day. At the heart of it all, we’re a people-focused business, and that really drives home how important it is to keep everyone aligned with our shared purpose and the values of the Group. It’s all about creating and fostering a space where folks can innovate, share their ideas, grow personally, and, most importantly, feel heard.
Our job is to make sure that everyone feels involved and empowered, fully aware of the challenges our industry faces, and genuinely motivated to make a difference. This also means nurturing an environment that values responsibility, diversity, and inclusion. When people feel appreciated, they become true ambassadors of our culture spreading that vibe wherever they go.
We need to keep investing in our people’s growth. It’s essential to offer training and opportunities that tie environmental and social awareness into our everyday operations. When we give our teams the tools to understand sustainable practices, we not only boost our efficiency but also empower them to be change-makers in their communities.
Open and honest communication is another key factor. It strengthens our connections and creates a safe space for everyone to toss around ideas on how we can move forward. When we work together, innovation thrives – and that can make a difference not just for us but for the world around us.
Besides work, what do you enjoy most about working within the ABL Group?
From the very first chats between Proper and ABL Group about a potential merger, I felt this immediate sense of belonging – like I was already at home. For a long time, I
wondered how a company that has gone through so many mergers and changes over the years managed to keep its identity and that cosy feeling of home. I believe the
answer lies, once again, in the people—their genuine commitment to doing the right thing and making it all work. I’m truly happy to be part of this amazing team.
My grandfather used to say, “It’s not really work if you love what you do.” Over the past few months, I’ve had the chance to chat and meet many new colleagues, and that’s only reinforced this feeling. I always see that same spark in people’s eyes, smiles on their faces, and a contagious energy that shows how proud they are to be part of this group.
I think what I enjoy most about being part of this group is getting to know and hear each of your stories. I love a good story, a good laugh, and those great moments. I hope to have the chance to meet everyone in this company.
