Over the coming days, Maritime UK will be profiling each of the finalists in this year’s Maritime UK Awards. Winners will be announced on 12 November in an event live streamed from Plymouth.
The Maritime Professional of the Year Award, celebrating the achievements of an outstanding individual working in the maritime sector is this year sponsored by Nautilus International.
The award will be made out to a maritime professional who has shown dedication to their role and to the work of the wider maritime sector, with special emphasis on their support of others.
The winner of the Maritime Professional of the Year Award will be announced in a virtual event live-streamed from Britain’s Ocean City, Plymouth, on 12 November from 5pm.
Category sponsor Nautilus International is a trade union and professional organisation serving, supporting and protecting the interests of more than 20,000 maritime professionals in the UK, Netherlands and Switzerland.
Mark Dickinson, General Secretary from Nautilus International said:
“In order for the UK maritime industry to be successful, now and in the future, we need good talented people employed in the sector. Those who find time in their professional lives to also support and mentor the next generation are most deserving of our recognition and praise.”
Highly respected experts from a variety of businesses and government departments were involved in the judging panel for this year’s Maritime UK Awards, which celebrate the achievements of the UK’s maritime sector, which adds £46.1bn to the UK economy every year, and supports 1.1 million jobs.
Shortlisted for the Maritime Professional of the Year Award are three individuals who have each been nominated for their excellent work in their respective organisations: Eirini Trivyza from Babcock International Bob Buskie from the Port of Cromarty Firth, and Mark Whitworth of Peel Ports Group.
Eirini Trivyza is a naval architect employed by Babcock International who operates within the Naval Design Partnering Team for the Ministry of Defence, supporting current and future Royal Navy capabilities. In addition to this extensive and highly demanding role, Eirini contributes to UKNEST’s leadership direction and professional development of more than 90 early careers professionals through their FutureNEST programme.
Bob Buskie is the CEO of the Port of Cromarty Firth, a position he had since 2013. He has actively contributed to the transformation of the port, so a wider, ore diverse business portfolio could make use of its deep waters and modern facilities, and he has put an emphasis on community engagement and transparency that has transformed the reputation of the organisation. Bob has further crafted a business model with economic, social and environmental. sustainability at its heart.
Mark Whitworth is the CEO of Peel Ports Group, a role in which he has utilised his extensive experience to lead Peel’s port operations to facilitate regional economic growth. Mark has worked at Peel Ports for 10 years and has delivered significant growth while making clear his commitment to the health, safety and wellbeing of the staff.
Harry Theochari, Chair of Maritime UK, said:
“We’re delighted to announce the finalists for the Maritime UK Awards 2020. Across all fourteen categories we can see some genuinely world-beating products, services, and operators. I’m particularly pleased to see some fantastic projects being showcased in the new Clean Maritime categories. Given the importance the sector places on getting to net zero, it is important that we celebrate the progress made on that journey and connect people together so that they can achieve more than on their own. These awards help do just that. The quality of entries this year is testament to the strength and commitment of our maritime sector to be world-class despite the most challenging of circumstances.”
Ben Murray, Director of Maritime UK, said:
“We were determined that these awards would go ahead, and in an ideal world would have been one of the first occasions at which colleagues from across the sector could come back together following COVID-19. With that not being possible due to new restrictions, we think it’s really important to celebrate the remarkable work that has been going on – in responding to COVID-19, and in spite of it – which sends a message of resilience and ambition.”
The 2020 Maritime UK Awards are hosted by Maritime UK South West and delivered by Plymouth City Council. Diamond Sponsors are the MLA College and the University of Plymouth.
Tickets to the live-streamed event are free and open to everyone. To register visit the official website.