Justin
Hanning
BIOGRAPHY
Justin Hanning
A Lifetime in the Dive Industry...
Justin Hanning started his career in the dive industry at the age of 16 when he commenced his first job with the 'Diving Locker'. By the age of 19 he was an accounts manager for ScubaPro and he has owned and run Diving Distribution since 2010.
Over Four Decades in the Scuba Diving Industry!
Obsessed with the underwater world as a consequence of watching Jacques Cousteau on television at an early age and reading his classic book The Silent World...
Justin joined the local BSAC club, Hounslow no 55, at the age of 11 and was an avid part of their snorkelling group. He then passed his BSAC 3rd class diver at the age of 15.
Justin started working at the Diving Locker, in Kew, as their trainee equipment technician at the age of 16. He serviced regulators and tested cylinders along with assisting Mike Todd and Trevor Smith who created what is now known as IDEST standards for Diving Cylinder testing!
At 19 he started with Scubapro as their dealer liaison, eventually managing sales, servicing, technical seminars before being made redundant.
During this time he completed his HSE Media Scuba and Surface Supplied, supporting media production companies with project advise and builds, he supplied diving and marine equipment and diving services to props, costume, stunts, art and SFX departments and this is a role that he continues to do to this day for Film and TV advertising campaigns and product promotions.
Early credits include, Restoration, Event Horizon, Entrapment, Tomorrow never Dies, World is not Enough, Saving Private Ryan to more current projects that include Meg 2, Aquaman 2, Mission Impossible 7 & 8, 47 Metres Down, Silo and Breathe Deep to name just a few!
Justin moved on to Blandford sub aqua distributors for diving brands including Mares, Suunto, Faber and Pro Blue.
Mares took the distribution from Blandford and then employed Justin to set it up under HEAD UK Mares Diving Division employing and managing the sales team, customer service and service technician.
After being made redundant he had a brief spell with Oceanic UK then on to Atomic Aquatics EU GmbH where it was then bought by Huish Outdoors where he headed up the UK and Ireland arm of the business. BARE, Stahlsac, Zeagle brands followed very quickly along with the Hollis and Oceanic when AUP went into administration
RBUK was created for the distribution of the Hollis P2 once this we CE marked and Justin headed up sales and support on that product.
Justin is a long term board member of SITA (not that it's doing much now.)
BREXIT killed the Huish Outdoors / Liquid Sport business and Justin then took on and manages all aspects of the business for the brands listed below for the UK and Eire markets.
SEAC SUB recreational brand
Scuba Force SF2 rebreather, dry suits and technical diving equipment, including wings, regulators and accessories
Venture Heat & Spare Air
Pandora Lab
360 Observe Diving Mirrors
Lefeet DPV for the recreational market
Diver Tug technical diving DPV
Tauchsport diving accessories
Skills Timeline
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1987 - 1990: Diving Locker: In house service Technician trained in all major brands of diving equipment including cylinder testing to IDEST and BS/EN recognised standards
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1990 - Present: Diving Services UK : assisting in DSUK media projects as and when required.
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1990 - 1996: Scubapro UK: Responsible for UK EIRE & CI sales and presenting technical service seminars for Dealers, commercial diving companies and military of the Scubapro brand
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1997 - 2006: Blandford Sub Aqua: Responsible for UK EIRE & CI sales and presenting technical service seminars for MARES and SUUNTO diving products to Retail commercial and military organisations
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2006 - 2010: Head UK: Responsible for setting up the Mares UK diving Division under Head UK. Achieving the Annual Sales, P&L and A&P Budgets, Employment and management of 5 staff, Rollout and presentation in the UK,Eire & CI of the Mares Lab Technical Training courses.
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2011- 2019: Atomic Aquatics GmbH : Responsible for UK EIRE and CI sales, increasing sales revenues YOY, undertaking technical training and support to all dealers for the Atomic Aquatics products.
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2019 - 2023: Huish Outdoors/Liquid Sports GmbH: Full management of the transition from Atomic Aquatics to HO/LS for the UK EIRE and CI markets. Responsible for sales in the UK EIRE & CI increasing YOY, managing and presenting technical training seminars in the UK and EU regions for the HO brands that included Atomic Aquatics, Hollis, Oceanic, Zeagle ,BARE and Stahlsac
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2020 - 2023: Rebreathers UK: Business development manager for the CE Marked Hollis Prism 2 Closed Circuit Rebreather.
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2023 - Present: UK EIRE & CI Agent for SEAC SUB sport diving, spear fishing and Freediving equipment and Scuba Force technical diving equipment including the SF2 CE Marked Closed Circuit Rebreather. Managing and presenting the technical service seminars and support for both brands.
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August 2022- February 2025: Mi8/Scorpio productions, Back Pack and Mask technician supporting Dive Team, Props, Costume and SFX departments on Mission Impossible 8
Qualifications (certificates can be provided on request)
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HSE Media Diver Scuba & Surface supply
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HSE Diving At Work Full Medical (no restrictions)
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BSAC, PADI & TDI certified diver
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TDI Nitrox Diver
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St Johns 1st Aid at Work
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Technical Instructor Trainer for Mares Lab, Atomic Aquatics, Hollis, Oceanic and Zeagle
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Technical Instructor for Scubapro SEAC SUB and Scuba Force
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Service technicians certificates held for all major diving brands
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BSAC - Club Instructor
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PADI - Open Water Instructor
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PADI Small Boat Handling
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RYA Safety Boat Handling
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RYA Advanced Powerboat Licence
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RYA/MCA VHF operators short range
Consultant to the Media, Film and Television Industry
Underwater Filming Expertise. Marine Technical Solutions.
35+ Years Behind the Scenes.
With over 35 years of experience consulting to the film and television industry, Justin Hanning specialises in the technical challenges of underwater filming and marine-based production.
Throughout his career, Justin has worked closely with multiple production departments, including Stunts, Special Effects (SFX), Props, Costume, Set Design, Marine Coordination and Dive Safety Teams. His expertise covers the design, adaptation and supply of specialist diving and marine equipment, as well as the practical management and technical support required to bring complex underwater sequences to life.
Working collaboratively with production teams, Justin helps translate creative concepts into practical, safe and achievable solutions — ensuring that the Director’s and Director of Photography’s visual ambitions can be realised, from the initial storyboard through to filming on set and in the water.
His experience spans a diverse range of film and television productions, with recent credits including The Mission Impossibles 6, 7, 8, House of the Dragon, 47 Meters Down, Meg 2, Aquaman 2, Silo 1, 2, 3, Casualty and Breath Deep, among many others.
Planning your next underwater or marine-based production?
Whether you are developing an underwater sequence, planning a complex water-based stunt, sourcing specialist equipment or looking for technical advice during pre-production, Justin can work directly with you and your Heads of Department to help find the right solution for your production.
From the storyboard to the screen, turn your creative vision into a practical reality.
If you or your Head of Department would like to discuss an upcoming project and explore how Justin’s experience and technical expertise could support your production, please get in touch.
Curriculum Vitae
A professional, committed, enthusiastic long standing member of the UK diving industry. A proven dedicated, business and technically focused individual with an excellent commercial understanding of the UK diving market developed over the last 30 years. With a proven record of developing new and existing relationship and products, within the commercial, sport, retail and media diving markets.
Employment History
Huish Outdoors / Liquid Sports GMBH
October 2019-February 2023
Key Responsibilities:
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Manage transition for Atomic Aquatics dealers to Huish Outdoors / Liquid Sport
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Fully supporting all addition Huish Brands from a technical and sales perspective
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Instructor Technical Trainer for all brands within the UK and EU
I was employed to successfully manage the smooth transition from the old Atomic Aquatics GmbH company to the new Huish Outdoors / Liquid Sports GmbH company for the following diving brands:
Atomic Aquatics, Hollis, BARE, Oceanic, Zeagle and Stahlsac along with the Hollis Prism 2 CCR Rebreather.
During my management sales increased by over 50% and I became involved in many in-house projects on equipment, sales social media and the roll out, presenting and management of the UK and EU technical service seminars.
I also worked on media projects supplying equipment from the product range including the Hollis rebreather to enable SFX and Marine departments achieve their goals and looks they required.
Atomic Aquatics Europe GmbH - UK Manager
Dieselstrass 2, D-83043, Bad Aibling,Germany
May 2011- September 2019
Key Responsibilities:
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Set up and creating new dealer base agreeing to Atomic Aquatics EU Sales Ethics
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Responsible for all technical training on Atomic Aquatics diving products for the UK and Eire markets
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Keeping cost within UK & Eire Sales A&P budgets and increasing sales significantly
Set up and create a new dealer base agreeing to our sales ethics for Atomic Aquatic Europe.
Responsible for All UK Eire & CI sales,service and support taking the business from £87k in 2011 to Currently £334K
Keeping within UK A&P budgets and guidelines,Managing all promotional and demo events including the individual brands UK Social media channels.
Oceanic (SW) Ltd - UK Manager
Pelagic House, Dunkeswell, Devon, EX14 4RB
April 2009 - September 2009
Key Responsibilities:
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Managing day to day sales of Oceanic diving equipment to the UK and Eire markets
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Managing and assisting on all Oceainc equipmmet service seminars for the UK and Eire markets
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Working on the media side of the company with their in house water stage
Responsible for a dealer base of 60+ stores country wide which in 2008 achieved a combined turnover of £890,000. My main objectives were to increase the dealer base turnover by 7.5% within a 12 month period, this was achieved through a structured program of communications, including store visits and trade show exhibitions to educate the dealers in the features & benefits of the Oceanic product range & general brand support & promotion duties.
During my tenure through effective relationship development I was able to increase the dealer base by an additional five stores, which in turn were responsible for generating approximately £40,000 of new revenue; a significant achievement given the current UK economic situation.
Head UK Ltd – Mares Diving Division - Product Manager Diving Division
2 Beezon Road, Kendal, Cumbria LA9 6BW
January 2006 – January 2009
Key Responsibilities:
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Ensuring sales of Mares diving equipment and maintained the respective market share.
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Responsible for the design and delivery of training for maintenance, repair & servicing for Mares LAB service program throughout the UK, Ireland and Channel Islands dealer network.
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As a Mares Lab instructor trainer support all Mares Lab Service Centres and technical training courses
My primary responsibility was to facilitate & direct Head’s ‘Mares brand’ business category, which at that time was being brought back under Head’s direct control, in doing so regaining direct market engagement, previously Head had successfully worked with UK Distributor, but a change in corporate direction necessitated the change. I was to ensure objectives set out in the annual budget were achieved, holding full responsibility for the business’s Profit & Loss relating to Net Sales revenue / Gross margin percentage & Gross Profit; this alongside control of the Advertising and Promotion budget.
From a broader perspective I successfully delivered on other key functions imperative to the operational success for the business unit. These included the recruitment of key staff to complete Head’s service support infrastructure for the diving division, recruitment and direction of activity and productivity of territory representatives and customer service staff; overseeing the creation of the UK workshop and warranty department within Head UK’s office, along with managing the roll out of the Mares Lab technical service programme.
I was also very fortunate in that I was able to contribute to a week long quarterly product meeting, I found this extremely rewarding and offered a contrast to the rest of my duties. The meeting involved all regional managers gathering at our head quarters in Italy; my participation allowed me to voice feedback from dealers, contribute to R&D focus sessions, share market intelligence and identify emerging trends with colleagues from different regional markets, and influence how marketing in the UK was shaped to reach our consumers.
Blandford Sub Aqua - Technical Support Manager
Chelston Business Park, Somerset, TA21 9JQ
January 1997 - December 2005
Key Responsibilities:
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Ensuring sales of Suunto and Mares diving equipment maintained each brands respective market share and contributed significantly to Blandford’s 3 million pound annual turnover.
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Responsible for the design and delivery of training for maintenance, repair & servicing for Mares and Suunto diving products throughout the UK, Ireland and Channel Islands dealer network.
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Management of Blandford’s technical services workshop, repairs and warranties issues for all Mares & Suunto products.
From the date of my appointment in 97 through to 2005 I was able to build up my role within Blandford’s, staring with a technical role, I quickly undertook sales responsibilities, ultimately becoming responsible for generating revenue through support of dealerships throughout Scotland and Ireland. This being an aspect I not only enjoyed but excelled at, meeting and exceeding all targets set for each of the product lines we offered.
Being a relatively small company I was able to contribute greatly, influencing the business’s direction, and thus undertaking responsibility for a number of challenging projects, this included whilst located in London, a new business development venture with the creation and management of a TV Film division within the business,. Blandford Diving & Marine specialised in providing services to TV and film production companies, advising on all diving and marine technical requirements, supplying HSE qualified commercial divers, along with equipment hire and industry knowledge.
For Blandford, part of the industry’s trade calendar included exhibiting at both the UK annual dive shows held in London and Birmingham. I was chosen to organise our participation, coordinating with the event organisers and set designers to ensure that Blandford and our brands were presented in the best possible way. I was responsible for the actual stand design, for which we enjoyed the accolade of best trade stand for 3 years running.
Towards the last years of my tenure with Blandford’s as part of my responsibilities for business development I attended the US diving trade shows ‘Diving Equipment Manufacturers Association - DEMA’. My job whilst there was to keep up to date with equipment developments across the industry, meet with manufacturers and distributors with the goal of identifying new potential product lines for the UK to complement Blandford’s existing market offerings.
Scubapro UK Ltd - UK Sales representative
Mitcham Business Park, Lavender, Avenue Surrey
September 1990 – November 1996
Key Responsibilities:
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Responsible for all UK Sales within the UK Ireland & Channel Islands.
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To provide product specific technical service courses to UK dealers and relevant UK Armed forces personnel.
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Attend at UK trade exhibitions to promote sales and develop Scubapro brand awareness.
Building on my existing experience and ability as an equipment service engineer I took a territory sales position with a leading global equipment manufacturer. My duties were to support the UK and Ireland network of Scubapro dealers, ensuring that revenue targets were met through regular engagement and sales calls. Providing support and advice ranging from Point of sales information to equipment servicing and repair.
As part of Scubapro’s brand awareness campaign in 1994 I was involved in the organisation of a charity event where we assembled a team of volunteers to cross the English Channel using the Scubapro SEA Shuttle, diver propulsion vehicle.
Diving Locker UK - Service Technician
201 Chiswick High Rd, W4
March 1987 – August 1990
The Diving Locker was one of London’s premier Dive Stores, stocking a wide range of equipment makes, as Trainee Service Technician, I undertook an apprenticeship to become qualified as service technician for all the major diving equipment brands we stocked and serviced.
My duties started off with the responsibility for maintaining correct levels or spares and stock levels and eventually I became responsible for workshop, equipment testing pool and compressor, and the designated IDEST inspector.
Education & Qualifications
Heston Community School
Computer Literate with good use of Microsoft Office
Strong use of Hyperion ESSBASE database management system
BSAC – Club Instructor
PADI – Open Water Instructor
RYA Safety Boat Handling
RYA Advanced Powerboat Licence
Car & Motorcycle license
Interests
Skiing, motor biking, scuba diving, hiking, bush crafts & cooking
Excellent references available upon request