13 June 2024

Maritime UK Solent is pleased to announce a successful evening for the region's maritime sector at the recent ceremony in Belfast (5 June 2024).  

NASH Maritime, based in Southampton, was the winner of the Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME) of the Year Award, whilst Scarlett Barnett-Smith, who trained at Warsash Maritime School, part of Solent University, was honoured with the Bevis Minter Award. Her training was managed by Solent-based training provider, Just Be Maritime, who also attended the awards as finalists in the Start Up of the Year Award. Many other regional organisations were finalists in the Maritime UK Awards, which brings together over 500 people from the maritime industry and partners in government. 

Stuart Baker, Managing Director of Maritime UK Solent, said: “Special congratulations to NASH Maritime Ltd, and Scarlett Barnett-Smith, who was honoured with the Bevis Minter Award. A huge round of applause to Chris Shirling-Rooke MBE and the Maritime UK team for their excellent work and to the city of Belfast for hosting an incredible week of activities, culminating in the awards ceremony at the majestic Titanic Belfast”.  

Maritime UK Solent won the Maritime UK Future Skills Award 2024. This achievement highlights the important role that Maritime UK Solent plays in convening business and the education sector to promote careers in maritime and ensure the sector has the skills it needs for continued success.  

Stuart continued: "Winning the Maritime UK Future Skills Award 2024 is an incredible honour for us. This achievement reflects the dedication and hard work of our entire team, whose energy and passion have been key to the work that Maritime UK Solent continues to do. It also highlights the power of the Maritime UK Regional Cluster model in promoting best practices and knowledge sharing across the UK's coastal communities. We are immensely grateful for the support of local HE and FE institutions and maritime businesses whose collaboration is vital for our sector's future".  

The Future Skills category recognises those that have made a tangible contribution to meeting the future skills needs of the maritime sector. As part of this, the awards acknowledge the efforts to match available skills to the future requirements of the industry. Maritime UK Solent maintains a forward-thinking approach, always at the forefront of anticipating future challenges and opportunities in the maritime sector.  

Maritime UK Solent has been a leader in bridging the gap between education and the industry by offering impactful activities. For instance, by the creation of the Careers Partners Group with 32 industry representatives and supporting the Industry Ambassadors network. Additionally, Maritime UK Solent has an extensive outreach to schools and colleges, in partnership with the Solent Careers Hub, which has reached approximately 130,000 young people.