Finalists for the Maritime UK (MUK) Solent Awards 2023 celebrated at a special reception held at the Southampton International Boat Show. 

Representatives from the Solent maritime organisations shortlisted for the 13 MUK Solent award categories enjoyed the chance to network ahead of the awards evening on Thursday 5 October at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Maritime UK Solent Managing Director Stuart Baker hosted the reception and welcomed the finalists, sponsors, charity partner, Portsmouth Sail Training Trust, and other VIP guests. 

Stuart Baker said: “This year has been exceptionally successful for Maritime UK Solent and the maritime organisations in our network we are proud to champion.  The Maritime UK Solent Awards celebrate the very best the regional cluster has to offer – and I am delighted to welcome the finalists of the MUK Solent Awards, and our other VIP guests, to the reception at the Southampton International Boat Show. The finalists represent the Solent’s fantastic maritime sector and have done exceptionally well to be shortlisted from the record-breaking number of applications we received this year.   

“We launched the Awards to celebrate this incredible regional sector, and all its achievements, milestones and developments which benefit our local communities as well as our national economy. I am very much looking forward to the Awards event on 5 October which will further showcase the Solent maritime cluster’s excellence and significance.” 

CEO of British Marine Lesley Robinson welcomed guests to the Southampton International Boat Show. Lesley said: “British Marine has a focus on supporting the growth of the leisure and yachting industry and we’re grateful for the work of Maritime UK Solent to foster links and relationships in this area.” 

A formal handover of the awards was made at the reception, from Cllr Dave Shields, the Sheriff of Southampton, to Cllr Tom Coles, Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, where this year’s awards ceremony will take place. 

Sheriff of Southampton, Cllr Dave Shields said at the event: “We can’t ever underestimate the importance of the maritime sector to Southampton and its economy. We enjoy celebrating the sector and are proud and honoured to be handing over the baton for hosting these Awards to Portsmouth.” 

Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Cllr Tom Coles, said: “For the City of Portsmouth, maritime is literally everything. Portsmouth wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t the Royal Navy and the industries around it. It’s a great honour for Portsmouth to be hosting these Awards. To have these industry leading Awards come to Portsmouth with its rich maritime history is fantastic.” 

Maritime UK Solent was pleased to welcome Founder and Trustee of Portsmouth Sail Training Trust (PSTT) Ed Philips to hear more about the charity’s work. PSTT were chosen to be this year’s Maritime UK Solent Awards Charity Partner, selected by the Maritime UK Solent Board from a number of strong applications from charities working across the Solent, working to improve the lives of those living in the Solent’s coastal communities. 

Maritime UK Solent team members participated in activities at the Boat Show’s Careers Day, attended by more than 500 young people. They also took part in the show’s Careers Fair, aimed at giving university graduates, under-graduates, and adult job seekers the chance to meet exhibitors from industry and education. 

2023 MUKS Awards Finalists are: 

Net Zero Navigator Award, sponsored by Associated British Ports: 

  • National Oceanography Centre 
  • Portsmouth International Port 
  • RAD Propulsion Ltd

Clean Maritime Innovator Award, sponsored by Datum Electronics: 

  • Associated British Ports 
  • GT Green Technologies 
  • Optima Projects 

Global Trade Award, sponsored by CNS and DP World: 

  • BAE Systems Maritime Services 
  • Griffon Hoverwork 
  • Keel Marine 

Start-Up of the Year Award, sponsored by LockHeed Martin UK Rotary and Mission Systems: 

  • Archipelago Yachts 
  • Electrogear Fareham Ltd 
  • Just Be Maritime Ltd 

Diversity Champion Award, sponsored by the Royal Navy: 

  • BAE Systems (Outlink) 
  • BAE Systems Maritime Services (Employee Resource Groups) 
  • Maritime and Coastguard Agency 

Technology Game-Changer Award, sponsored by Red Funnel: 

  • Carisbrooke Shipping Ltd 
  • Connected Places Catapult 
  • National Oceanography Centre 

Future Skills Award, sponsored by The Solent Cluster: 

  • BAE Systems 
  • Berthon Boat Company Ltd 
  • Portsmouth International Port 

Small Business of the Year, sponsored by the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership 

  • NASH Maritime Ltd 
  • RS Aqua 
  • Solent Cruises Ltd 

International Partner of the Year Award: 

  • Halifax Partnership 
  • Robosys Automation 

Employer of the Year Award: 

  • Carnival UK 
  • Marine Resources Ltd 
  • National Oceanography Centre 

Apprentice of the Year Award sponsored by South Hampshrie College Group: 

  • Jamie Bamforth, BAE Maritime Systems 
  • Joel Shaw, Royal Navy 
  • Joshua Weston, BAE Maritime Services 

Large Business of the Year award sponsored by University of Southampton: 

  • BAE Systems Maritime Services 
  • Serco 
  • Solent Stevedores  

Maritime Legacy sponsored by Solent Stevedores: 

  • Rachel Kitley 
  • Andrew Webster 
  • Captain Allan Youp RN (Rtd) 

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