British Marine puts skills and future talent centre stage at Southampton International Boat Show 2026

27 August 2026

Apprentice celebrations, career opportunities and a new dedicated training stand will showcase the many ways people can enter, develop and thrive in the marine industry

British Marine is putting skills, careers and future talent centre stage at the Southampton International Boat Show 2026, with its biggest training presence to date.

New for 2026 is a dedicated British Marine training stand (H196, New Wave Hall), giving show visitors, exhibitors, British Marine members and professionals from across the wider marine industry the opportunity to meet the Training team, explore the new British Marine Training Academy and discover the courses, qualifications, apprenticeships and career pathways available across the sector.

The Show will also host the British Marine Apprentice of the Year Award final, a recognition ceremony celebrating more than 85 marine apprentices and a free Careers & Apprenticeship Evening connecting prospective talent with employers and training providers.

Industry-led learning and expertise

The Training Team will be joined throughout the Show by subject matter experts covering marine electrical, superyachts, boat brokerage, HR, social media, water safety, marine law and marina management.

Visitors to the stand will be able to ask questions, discuss their development needs and receive guidance on the courses, qualifications and career pathways most relevant to them or their business.

The team will also be available to talk about the new British Marine Training Academy, a flexible, industry-led online learning platform created for the marine sector, and its first course, Introduction to the Marine World. Designed for those new to the leisure marine industry, the course introduces how the sector fits together alongside essential terminology, marine safety, regulation and customer expectations. Drop by the stand to find out more!

Image for illustrative purposes (AI generated)

Speak to the team – we’re here to help

The new stand will also showcase British Marine’s full training offer, giving visitors a clear picture of how they can enter, progress and succeed in the marine industry.

Visitors can speak to the team about:

The NEW British Marine Training Academy
More than 35 industry-led training courses
Marine apprenticeships and end-point assessment
Recognised qualifications and professional certification
Continuous professional development
Flexible online and face-to-face learning
Training and career pathways in boat brokerage, marina management and marine electrical disciplines
Courses covering water safety, marine law, regulation, marketing, customer service and people management

From someone considering their first marine role to an experienced professional looking for their next qualification, the stand will offer practical advice and direct access to the people who can help make it happen.

Meet the experts

Alongside the British Marine Training Team who will on and off the stand throughout the show a number of industry experts will also be on hand to answer your questions.

Date	Morning sessions - 10.00 – 13.00	Afternoon sessions - 13.00 – 16.00
18th	Billie McKeown – Lead Business Partner, South Hampshire College Group Speak to Billie about: Talent pipelines, upskilling, apprenticeships Billie works with employers across Hampshire to help develop talent pipelines and upskill existing staff through funded apprenticeship programmes. Her expertise spans Boatbuilding, Marine Engineering, Motor Vehicle, and Building Services, helping businesses access training that supports long-term growth and workforce development.	Sarah Cook – Director/Founder, People Powered HR Speak to Sarah about: HR consulting, diversity & inclusion, executive coaching, leadership development, team building, training, employment law, payroll and outsourcing. As an experienced HR Director Sarah is accustomed to working at board level and dealing with complex people and organisational issues. Sarah is also a qualified coach with a particular interest in the psychology of people management, engagement, motivation and behaviour change.
19th	Members of the British Marine Training Team	Members of the British Marine Training Team
20th	Members of the British Marine Training Team	Members of the British Marine Training Team
21st	Sophie Kemp - Sailing Yacht Broker, Berthon International Speak to Sophie about: Yacht brokerage and careers in the marine industry Sophie studied Navigation and Maritime Science at Plymouth University and completed an Atlantic crossing before beginning her career with Berthon International in 2016. Now specialising in bluewater cruising yachts, she combines nearly a decade of brokerage experience with extensive practical experience of life afloat.	Andy Barratt - Marine educator and boatbuilding specialist Speak to Andy about: Boatbuilding, marine training and careers Andy has worked in East Coast boatyards since the mid-1990s before moving into boatbuilding education at Lowestoft College in 2007. He later joined the International Boatbuilding Training College (IBTC), where his work has included overseeing training, commercial operations and major boatbuilding and restoration projects.
22nd	Peter Andrews and/or Laura Brown (tbc) - Introtweet Speak to Peter/Laura about: Social media and digital marketing Introtweet provides social media training and management to businesses ranging from small local companies to international organisations. Directors Laura Brown and Peter Andrews are experienced trainers and speakers, combining hands-on social media expertise with backgrounds in teaching and group training.	Sue Gill – Tourism South East Speak to Sue about: Customer service training, including Welcome Afloat Sue heads the training function at Tourism South East and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. She has held senior roles across the public and private sectors and has extensive experience delivering tourism and customer service training. Tourism South East worked with British Marine to develop Welcome Afloat, a customer service programme specifically for the marine industry.
23rd	Lucy Goff & Jennie Harris, with Owen Davies Speak to Lucy & Jennie about: Marine law Speak to Owen about: Marine industry training/education Lucy Goff – Co-founder, Ocean Legal Lucy advises clients across the global marine industry, with particular expertise in leisure marine and superyachts. Her work covers yacht sale and purchase, construction and refits, commercial contracts, disputes, marine insurance, enforcement and debt recovery. She was recognised as a Legal 500 Rising Star in 2024 and Leading Associate in 2025. Jennie Harris – Co-founder, Ocean Legal Jennie specialises in maritime and ports law, advising harbour authorities, marina operators and marine businesses on commercial agreements, governance, statutory interpretation and regulatory compliance. She also helped develop Ocean Legal's fixed-fee approach to legal services. Owen Davies - Marine engineering and education specialist Owen began his career as a Marine Engineer, spending five years at sea before moving into shoreside engineering and education. He has held teaching and quality assurance roles at Bournemouth & Poole College and Warsash Maritime School and is an approved British Marine and NMEA trainer.	Dr Cliff Nelson – Managing Director, Atlantic Crest Speak to Cliff about: Water safety consultancy, training and first aid Cliff is a specialist in water safety management, training and consultancy with more than 25 years' experience. He holds a PhD in Integrated Coastal Management and has advised organisations including the Health and Safety Executive, British Triathlon and Swim Wales, as well as contributing to the development of national water safety qualifications and programmes.
24th	Dan Mellor (CMO) & Ian Rodger (CMM) Speak to Dan and Ian about: Marina Management Careers Dan Mellor – Assistant Marina Manager, Kip Marina \| Certified Marina Operator (CMO) Dan has seven years' marina management experience at Kip Marina following an earlier commercial marine career involving superyachts, commercial skippering and RYA instruction. His career has taken him throughout Europe and as far as South Africa, giving him broad practical experience of the opportunities available within the marine sector. Ian Rodger – Marina Manager, Kip Marina \| Certified Marina Manager (CMM) Ian joined Holt Leisure in 2010 and progressed from the boatyard through virtually every aspect of marina operations. He now oversees staff, boat hoisting, maintenance, customer service and administration at Kip Marina and is passionate about developing people and improving the marina customer experience.	Henry Cobley (CMO) & Dan Lewis (CMM) Speak to Henry and Dan about: Marina Management Careers Henry Cobley – General Manager, Parkstone Bay Marina \| Certified Marina Operator (CMO) Henry has worked in the marina industry since the age of 16 and has more than 15 years' experience across marina operations and management. His current responsibilities span marina operations, hospitality, marine services and wider group projects, with a strong focus on safety, sustainability, operational excellence and developing people. Dan Lewis – Regional Marina Director, ABC Leisure Group \| Certified Marina Manager (CMM) Dan is an experienced marina professional specialising in coastal and inland marina operations, customer service and waterfront management. He oversees multiple marina sites and has board-level responsibility for performance, safety, operational efficiency and customer experience.
25th	Andy Garland (CMM) - Associate Director, Marina Projects Ltd \| Certified Marina Manager Speak to Andy about: Marina development, management and consultancy Andy has more than 35 years' experience in the marina industry and has worked on marina developments across the UK, Europe, Middle East, Caribbean and beyond. His expertise encompasses feasibility, design, construction, operations, master planning, commercial strategy and operational improvement.	Ed Tuite – Technical Director, British Marine Speak to Ed about: Marine technical guidance, standards and regulation Ed joined British Marine in 2016 following roles with Fairline Yachts, Discovery Yachts and Blyth Workcats. He leads technical guidance and standards across passenger boats, small commercial vessels and superyachts and is involved in a number of industry and ISO technical groups.
26th	Adam Knowles CMM – Marina Manager, Aberystwyth Marina \| Certified Marina Manager Speak to Adam about: Marine operations, leadership and marina management Adam is a marine professional with a military foundation and proven seagoing experience, now operating in shore-based roles. Industry-qualified and results driven, with a strong track record of leading vessel and shore teams to deliver operational objectives safely and efficiently.	Members of the British Marine Training Team
27th	Members of the British Marine Training Team	Members of the British Marine Training Team

More than 85 apprentices recognised

The Apprentice of the Year winner will be announced during British Marine’s Apprentice Recognition Ceremony, also taking place on Tuesday 22 September.

The ceremony will celebrate more than 85 apprentices from leading marine businesses, recognising talent across roles ranging from boatbuilding and engineering to business administration and events.

Hosted by former BBC The Apprentice contestant Jasmine Kundra, the event will include certificate presentations and an appearance from Charlie Cramer, winner of the 2025 British Marine Apprentice of the Year Award.

The ceremony will not only recognise individual achievement but also celebrate the employers, training providers and colleagues supporting the next generation of marine talent.

Three outstanding apprentices – one prestigious title

The winner of the British Marine Apprentice of the Year Award 2026 will be revealed live at the Southampton International Boat Show on Tuesday 22 September.

Now in its third year, the award celebrates dedication, resilience, innovation and impact, recognising an apprentice who is making a real difference to their business and the wider industry.

The three finalists are:

Jordan Matthews-Coles, Carpenter Apprentice, Princess Yachts – Jordan left a career in the Royal Navy at the age of 28 to start an apprenticeship with no formal qualifications. He has since developed skills across several production areas at Princess Yachts and progressed to independently building galleys and port heads. His journey demonstrates how apprenticeships can unlock successful and rewarding career changes.
Niamh Taylor-May, Marine Engineer Apprentice, Princess Yachts – Niamh chose a practical, hands-on route into engineering and has developed from a beginner into a trusted member of her team. She now supports work experience students and mentors other apprentices while continuing to build her own technical skills and marine engineering career.
Jack Hayden, Marina & Boatyard Operative Apprentice, Fambridge Yacht Haven – Inspired by a lifelong interest in boats and marinas, Jack progressed from weekend work into a marina and boatyard apprenticeship. He has embraced opportunities across the yard, supported marina events and shown initiative and calmness in challenging situations.

The finalists were selected from a six-strong shortlist by a panel of industry judges. The winner will receive an engraved trophy alongside industry-wide recognition.

Discover a career like no other

British Marine will round off the day with its free Careers & Apprenticeship Evening at voco Southampton from 16:00–19:00.

Open to students, parents, teachers, jobseekers, people returning to work and those considering a career change, the event will bring together 19 marine employers, colleges, training providers and careers organisations.

Attendees will be able to explore roles across marine engineering, boatbuilding, design, sailing, hospitality, logistics, customer service and marine operations, while receiving first-hand advice about apprenticeships, qualifications and routes into the sector.

Every registered attendee will also receive a free ticket to the Southampton International Boat Show, valid for any day from 22–27 September 2026.

To find out more and register for the Careers & Apprenticeship evening visit: https://www.britishmarine.co.uk/membership/events/southampton-international-boat-show/discover-career-no-other-southampton-international-boat-show-2026-careers-and-apprenticeship-evening

There has never been a better time to discover where a career in the marine industry could take you. This year’s Southampton International Boat Show brings everything together, from celebrating our most promising apprentices to connecting new talent with employers and showcasing the training that helps people progress throughout their careers. We are particularly excited to introduce our new dedicated training stand and give visitors the chance to learn about the new British Marine Training Academy. Whether you are completely new to marine, looking for an apprenticeship, developing your existing skills or planning training for your team, come and speak to the team and discover how we can support you, your career or your business. We’re here to help.

Manj Mahey Head of Training at British Marine

Visit the British Marine training stand throughout the Southampton International Boat Show to meet the team and discover how you can learn, develop and succeed in the marine industry.

For more information, visit britishmarine.co.uk/training or email training@britishmarine.co.uk