Maritime UK (MUK) Solent has opened applications to its Maritime UK Solent Awards 2024.

This year, there are 13 award categories.

The closing date for award applications is 22 July. Finalists will be announced on 10 September, with the award ceremony taking place on 17 October at the Hilton Southampton — Utilita Bowl.  

Anne-Marie Mountifield, chair of Maritime UK Solent, says: “We encourage the Solent’s maritime businesses to apply to this year’s Maritime UK Solent Awards. It is a unique opportunity to showcase their achievements within the region’s thriving maritime sector over the past year and provide a platform for further success. 

“The high-profile awards ceremony in October will champion the region as a global hub for maritime excellence and will celebrate the very best of our incredible sector.  

“The awards champion and highlight the vibrancy of the local maritime sector and demonstrates its ambition to be recognised globally as a hub for maritime excellence. 

“Last year we were thrilled to honour some inspirational people and organisations; it really is a privilege to be able to provide such a high-profile platform to celebrate the remarkable achievements and the incredible talent we have in the region.” 

Just Be Maritime won the Start-Up of the Year category at last year’s awards. Managing director Don Millar says: “Just Be Maritime started trading in April 2022 with one major client and three joint venture companies/charities.  

“Since winning Start-Up of the Year at the 2023 Maritime UK Solent Awards, we have expanded to 12 sponsors/charities. It has been this industry recognition that has not only given potential sponsors confidence in our abilities, but also given our team confidence and pride that their hard work is being recognised in the maritime industry. 

“We are extremely proud of expanding our international sponsors and sectors of the maritime industry that have not traditionally trained UK cadets.” 

In recent years, many winners from the Maritime UK Solent Awards have gone on to be finalists and winners at the national Maritime UK Awards. Last week in Belfast, where the national awards were held, Nash Maritime won the Small & Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) of the Year Award, having won Small Business of the Year in 2023 at the Maritime UK Solent Awards. 

Jamie Holmes, director and co-founder of Nash Maritime says: “It was fantastic to win an award at Maritime UK and humbling given the strength of the other finalists. It’s amazing to think that we only started six years ago and we’re now getting this level of industry recognition, which is a testament to the efforts of our incredible team and their passion for the marine sector. 

“Being successful in the Maritime UK Solent 2023 Awards was undoubtedly important in positioning us for this national award. We’ve got ambitious plans for the future and this recognition is invaluable for us as we look to increase our footprint internationally and in recruiting talent into the team.” 

The development from regional to national award winner demonstrates that the Maritime UK Solent Awards celebrates the best of the region’s maritime sector, many of whom go on to be recognised on the national and international maritime stage. 

For more information on participating in the Maritime UK Solent Awards 2024, visit Maritime UK Solent Awards 2024. 

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