Entrepreneur of the Year 2025: From fishing lodges to floating cities—how Brian Grange Built a global marine empire

Brian Grange’s entrepreneurial journey began in an unlikely place: a family-run fishing lodge in the wild beauty of Haida Gwaii. As a boy, he realized the possibility of building in remote locations, the delicate balance of working with—not against—nature and the importance of respecting Indigenous territories. “Growing up in a fishing lodge environment, I knew it was possible to build in remote locations… but I’d never seen it done industrial,” Grange shares.

 

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Years later, in 2012, those lessons collided with a growing opportunity: British Columbia’s LNG boom. Grange recognized a glaring gap—thousands of workers would soon arrive on the Pacific Coast, but where would they live?

His answer was as unconventional as it was ambitious: floating cities. Recognizing the constraints of land-based accommodation in remote areas and inspired by overseas industrial models, Grange envisioned self-contained, hotel-grade “floatels” that could house over a thousand workers without disturbing fragile coastal ecosystems. These spaces would go beyond basic accommodations—offering premium meals, recreation facilities and sustainable design.

The pitch was bold, especially for a newcomer with just $150,000 in investment capital. Grange wrote roughly 200 proposals in his first two years, securing only three projects before landing his first major multimillion-dollar contract—a deal that cemented Bridgemans Services’ place in the market. What started as a simple question—“Why not build a better way to house workers?”—became a blueprint for reimagining remote workforce living.

In just over a decade, Bridgemans has leapt from niche floatel operator to global marine powerhouse. Its ships have been deployed for 15 projects, across almost every continent—housing thousands of workers everywhere from the Canadian coast to the tropics, from LNG sites on Australia’s remote Barrow Island to the East Coast of Africa, where crews worked through an active insurgency to keep everyone safe on board. Other deployments have taken the company to Eastern Mediterranean conflict zones and as far north as Norway’s Arctic fjords.

The company’s fleet is expanding consistently. In 2023, Bridgemans acquired its largest vessel yet—the 561-foot MV Isabelle X—and transformed it into a 652-cabin floating hotel complete with ensuites, lounges and an 8,000-square-foot gym. Next up: the Saga X—a vessel of the same size as the Isabelle X that’s set to deploy later this year.

For Brian Grange, the secret to scaling a business that’s expanded 30 percent a year for three straight years is deceptively simple: never stray from the founding principles. “Always make sure you give back more than you take out,” he says. That means putting sustainability, local partnerships and client needs first—whether a project is in the Philippines or just off the B.C. coast.

It’s a philosophy reflected in the very design of Bridgemans’ floatels: self-sufficient environments that can be easily replicated. With nearly 2,000 beds already on the water and a project pipeline through 2028, Grange anticipates adding at least one or two more vessels to meet demand.

But for now, his focus is close to home. After a decade of “floating around the world,” the company has returned to the West Coast to work alongside First Nations partners including the Squamish, Nisga’a and Haisla.

The timing is no accident. With LNG Canada, Cedar LNG and Woodfibre LNG poised to define the next chapter of the province’s energy sector, Bridgemans is positioning itself at the heart of the action.

For Grange, it’s not just business—it’s a chance to build projects that are economically vital, environmentally sound and deeply rooted in community. “These projects mean so much to my heart and also to my team,” the 48-year-old says. “We’re just very excited that we’re actually able to work so close to home for the next number of years.”

How do you celebrate your wins?

Ski and a glass of Bordeaux. 

An embarrassing obsession of yours?

I love to travel long distances on airplanes. I do all my best thinking at 40,000 feet.

An odd job you’ve had?

A fish cleaner. 

Your most-used app?

LinkedIn. 

Your most influential role model?

My godfather. 

What’s the best leadership advice you’ve ever received?

Always put your employees first. 

Describe your dream employee in three words.

Fast, efficient, tireless. 

After work, we can find you…

Walking my dog, Stella.