Isle of Wight winners at the Maritime UK Solent Awards 2023 were announced at a stylish ceremony held in Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard last Thursday (5th October).
The very best of the Solent’s world-class maritime sector was celebrated at the 2nd annual event, organised by Maritime UK Solent, shining a spotlight on the success, creativity and innovation currently taking place in the region’s marine industry.
Anne-Marie Mountifield, Chair of Maritime UK Solent, said:
“The Maritime UK Solent Awards celebrate the very best this incredible regional sector has to offer. This year has been exceptionally successful for the maritime organisations that we are proud to champion, and we saw our truly globally leading talent honoured at our inspiring Awards ceremony in Portsmouth.
“It has been a privilege for Maritime UK Solent to provide a platform for these prestigious maritime organisations, acknowledging and celebrating remarkable achievements and the incredible talent in the Solent cluster. Congratulations go to each of our brilliant winners and the finalists of this year’s Awards.”
This year the Awards attracted even more applicants for the 13 categories, with a 20% rise in applications; plus there was a marked increase in the number of guests attending the ceremony, including the Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt MP, Leader of the House of Commons.
Before the Maritime UK Solent Award winners were announced, the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Councillor Tom Coles, welcomed everybody to Portsmouth, where the ceremony was held for the 1st time.
Carisbrooke Shipping Ltd. based in Cowes won the Technology Game-Changer Award and Rachel Kitley, the Principal of Cowes Enterprise College won the Maritime Legacy Award, the category celebrating someone who has made a significant impact to the strength of the Solent Maritime Sector.
Rachel said:
“I’m hugely honoured to receive the Maritime Legacy Award. Tonight’s awards have not only been an inspiring showcasing of the brilliant work underway but also of the exciting future we all have in the maritime industry and in the Solent.
“Our maritime curriculum at Cowes Enterprise College that is rolling across many schools in the country is there to support the future of the industry. The maritime industry is not just a piece of our past but an important part of our future and we’re keen to support the next generation.”
Nerds (Ignore this part, I have entered it simply because my original comment was too short)