Barry began his career as a Cadet and Officer in the British Merchant Navy and later became a Director of leading U.K. shipping companies and CEO of global maritime businesses. He is also qualified in Finance, Accountancy and Marketing and in 1980 obtained his Masters Degree in Business Administration. He is a Chartered Engineer, Fellow of the Royal Society, the Royal Institution of Naval Architects and the Institute of Marine Engineering Science & Technology. He is a Yacht Master Offshore and Radar Instructor and also holds fixed and rotary wing pilot qualifications.