British Marine celebrates apprentices and future talent with recognition ceremony, awards, and careers showcase at the  Southampton International Boat Show
25 September 2025

Plus, winner of the Apprentice of the Year Award revealed

British Marine reinforced its commitment to nurturing the next generation of talent with a full day of activity at the Southampton International Boat Show dedicated to apprenticeships, training, and career pathways in the marine sector.

The day began with the Apprenticeship Recognition Ceremony, which saw 75 apprentices from nine leading marine businesses recognised for their achievements and for completion of their apprenticeships. Hosted by former BBC The Apprentice contestant Jasmine Kundra, the event featured keynote speeches from Robert Parton, President of British Marine, and Anisha Roberts, winner of the inaugural British Marine Apprentice of the Year Award in 2024, who shared the story of her apprenticeship journey.

Following the presentations it was time to reveal the 2025 winner of the British Marine Apprentice of the Year Award.  Now in its second year, the award showcases the exceptional skills and ambition of apprentices across the marine leisure, small commercial, and superyacht sectors. After a highly competitive judging process, Charlie Cramer from Platinum Marine was announced as the 2025 winner.

The Judging panel, made up of Lesley Robinson - CEO, British Marine, Manj Mahey - Head of Training, British Marine, Jasmine Kundra – Former contestant on the BBC’s ‘The Apprentice’, Lorna Wagner - Programme Manager, Maritime UK Solent and Samantha Mitchell - Director, SM Employment and Skills Consultants, praised Charlie for the initiative he demonstrated in securing his apprenticeship, his ability to quickly earn the trust of colleagues on complex projects, and the energy and passion he brings to his role.

His clarity of ambition to build a career in electrical design, to one day mentor apprentices himself, and ultimately to become an industry leader, resonated strongly with the panel. Judges also noted the authentic way in which Charlie shared his apprenticeship journey, describing him as a natural ambassador for apprenticeships and for the wider marine sector.

Winning this award is an incredible honour. My apprenticeship with Platinum Marine has given me the chance to learn, grow, and develop a career I’m passionate about. I hope to build on this opportunity and, in time, support others coming into the sector.

Charlie

Apprentice of the Year finalists

The apprentices and finalists we have celebrated today reflect the strength of the UK marine sector’s workforce pipeline. Their talent, passion, and ambition underline the importance of apprenticeships as a vital entry point into our industry. Charlie’s success is a shining example of what can be achieved with the right support and commitment.

Manj Mahey, Head of Training at British Marine

The day concluded with the Careers and Apprenticeship Evening, which brought together 15 companies and training providers, to showcase the wealth of marine career opportunities available. The event, the biggest careers event to date, welcomed over 100 prospective apprentices, career changers, and parents keen to understand the scope of roles across the industry.  Special thanks to all the companies who participated:

The apprentices and finalists we have celebrated today reflect the strength of the UK marine sector’s workforce pipeline. Their talent, passion, and ambition underline the importance of apprenticeships as a vital entry point into our industry. Charlie’s success is a shining example of what can be achieved with the right support and commitment.

Manj Mahey, Head of Training at British Marine
  • Searegs
  • Marine Society & Sea Cadets
  • Bournemouth & Poole College
  • Carnival UK Maritime
  • City College Southampton / South Hampshire College Group
  • Berthon Boat Company Ltd
  • Tall Ships Youth Trust
  • Maritime and Transport Careers Programme (MTCP)
  • Brockenhurst College
  • Solent AC and Warsash Maritime School
  • Royal Navy
  • Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA)
  • UKSA
  • Rockley Watersports
  • Landau

Events like this are essential in demonstrating the breadth of opportunities available in the marine sector. Meeting future talent face-to-face allows us to show the diverse and rewarding careers that exist, while also strengthening our recruitment pipeline.

Katie Bruce Engagement Lead at Maritime Transport Careers Programme (MTCP)

Attending the event to discover the range of opportunities on offer in the marine industry, was Josephine from Southampton who said: 

The Careers and Apprenticeship Evening was such an eye-opener. I had no idea there were so many different routes into the marine industry, from engineering and design to watersports and maritime roles. Speaking directly with companies gave me a real sense of what’s possible, and it’s inspired me to seriously consider a career in this sector.

Also among the many supporters of the careers event was Darren Paffey, Labour Member of Parliament for Southampton Itchen, who commented:

Southampton has a proud maritime heritage, and it’s inspiring to see that tradition carried forward through events like the Careers and Apprenticeship Evening. To have so many local young people, parents, and career changers engaging directly with businesses and training providers shows the real appetite for marine careers in our city. The marine industry is not only central to Southampton’s history but also to our future prosperity, and creating these opportunities for local people to build skills and explore rewarding careers is invaluable. My thanks go to British Marine and all the participating organisations for investing in the future of our community.

Darren Paffey Labour Member of Parliament for Southampton Itchen

Through its recognition of achievements, celebration of excellence, and practical careers advice, the day highlighted the scale of opportunity within the UK marine industry and British Marine’s role in championing skills and workforce development.

For more information about training and career opportunities in the marine sector, visit www.britishmarine.co.uk/training

Congratulations to all our apprentices:

Name

 

Organisation

Apprenticeship

Owen

McIntee

British Marine

Business Administrator Level 3

Christian

Baker

Berthon Boat Company Ltd

Marine Engineer Level 3

William

Saggers

Berthon Boat Company Ltd

Marine Engineer Level 3

Isaac

Lovell

Berthon Boat Company Ltd

Boat Builder Level 3

Julius

Cobb

Berthon Boat Company Ltd

Boat Builder Level 3

Theodore

Stanton

Berthon Boat Company Ltd

Boat Builder Level 3

Adam

George

Princess Yachts Ltd

Marine Engineering Level 3

Adam

Lawrence

Princess Yachts Ltd

Marine Engineering Level 3

Ben

Roy

Princess Yachts Ltd

Carpentry Boatbuilding Level 3

Cade

Griffiths

Princess Yachts Ltd

Carpentry Boatbuilding Level 3

Callum

Macey

Princess Yachts Ltd

Carpentry Boatbuilding Level 3

Charlie

Hill

Princess Yachts Ltd

Marine Engineering Level 3

Georgi

Tanev

Princess Yachts Ltd

Marine Engineering Level 3

Isaac

Daykin

Princess Yachts Ltd

Marine Engineering Level 3

Jack

Dyer

Princess Yachts Ltd

Carpentry Boatbuilding Level 3

Michal

Szymanski

Princess Yachts Ltd

Carpentry Boatbuilding Level 3

Phoebe

Deans-Allison

Princess Yachts Ltd

Carpentry Boatbuilding Level 3

Tom

Fyfe

Princess Yachts Ltd

Composites Technician Level 3

Kay

Bush

Princess Yachts Ltd

Marine Engineering Level 3

Tom

Goord

Princess Yachts Ltd

Composites Technician Level 3

Max

Woolcock

Princess Yachts Ltd

Marine Engineering Level 3

Will

Barsdorf

Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI)

Marine Engineer Level 3

Jack

Domoney

Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI)

Marine Engineer Level 3

Harvey

Zimmer

Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI)

Marine Electrician Level 3

Ben

Hodder

Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI)

Boat Builder Level 3

Ben

Allum

Pendennis Shipyard Ltd

Marine Electrician Level 3

Jess

Belasco

Pendennis Shipyard Ltd

Marine Electrician Level 3

Lewis

Smith

Pendennis Shipyard Ltd

Marine Electrician Level 3

Kyle

Sharp

Pendennis Shipyard Ltd

Marine Electrician Level 3

Devin

Wood

Pendennis Shipyard Ltd

Engineering Fitter Level 3

Jake

Kelly

Pendennis Shipyard Ltd

Marine Engineer Level 3

Cory

Wildman

Pendennis Shipyard Ltd

Marine Engineer Level 3

Toby

Walker

Pendennis Shipyard Ltd

Marine Engineer Level 3

Jed

Jones

Pendennis Shipyard Ltd

Marine Engineer Level 3

Millie

Rogers

Pendennis Shipyard Ltd

Marine Engineer Level 3

Jake

Juma

Pendennis Shipyard Ltd

Furniture Manufacture Level 2

Leo

Stokes

Pendennis Shipyard Ltd

Furniture Manufacture Level 2

Joe

Hockley

Pendennis Shipyard Ltd

Mechatronics Maintenance Technician Level 3

Dan

Richards

Pendennis Shipyard Ltd

Metal Fabricator Level 3

Cade

Cole

Pendennis Shipyard Ltd

Lean Manufacture Level 2

Bailey

Powel

Pendennis Shipyard Ltd

Lean Manufacture Level 2

Rachael

O'Mara

EP Barrus Ltd

Level 3 Engineering Fitter

Thomas

Montgomery

EP Barrus Ltd

Level 3 Engineering Fitter

Thomas

Stallworthy

EP Barrus Ltd

Level 3 Engineering Fitter

Kieran

Churchill

EP Barrus Ltd

Level 3 Engineering Fitter

Luke

Linney

Sunseeker International Ltd

Level 3 Marine Engineering

Jordan

Simpson

Sunseeker International Ltd

Level 3 Marine Engineering

Daniel

Jack

Sunseeker International Ltd

Level 3 Marine Engineering

Jack

Seymour

Sunseeker International Ltd

Level 3 Marine Engineering

Daniel

Hicks

Sunseeker International Ltd

Level 3 Marine Engineering

Daniel

Millis

Sunseeker International Ltd

Level 3 Boatbuilding – Wood Pathway

Toby

Hampton Brown

  Sunseeker International Ltd

Level 3 Boatbuilding – Wood Pathway

Kieran

Hine

Sunseeker International Ltd

Level 3 Boatbuilding – Wood Pathway

Joshua

Cardiff

Sunseeker International Ltd

Level 3 Boatbuilding – Composite Pathway

Finn

Goodman

Sunseeker International Ltd

Level 2 Engineering Operative

Harry

White

Sunseeker International Ltd

Level 2 Engineering Operative

Freddie

Hodgkins

Sunseeker International Ltd

Level 2 Engineering Operative

Callum

Gordon

Sunseeker International Ltd

Level 2 Engineering Operative

Kieron

James

Sunseeker International Ltd

Level 2 Engineering Operative

Kian

Scard

Sunseeker International Ltd

Level 2 Engineering Operative

Danny

Allison

Sunseeker International Ltd

Level 2 Engineering Operative

Michael

Brown

Sunseeker International Ltd

Level 2 Engineering Operative

Kai

Franklin

Sunseeker International Ltd

Level 2 Engineering Operative

Oscar

True

Sunseeker International Ltd

Level 2 Engineering Operative

Lewis

Southcott

Sunseeker International Ltd

Level 2 Engineering Operative

Zach

O'Connor

Sunseeker International Ltd

Level 2 Engineering Operative

Adam

Baker

Sunseeker International Ltd

Level 2 Engineering Operative

Rhys

Veal

Sunseeker International Ltd

Level 3 Boatbuilding – Wood Pathway

Flyn

Vincent

Sunseeker International Ltd

Level 3 Marine Engineering

Oliver

Rickard

Marine Society & Sea Cadets

Marina and Boatyard Operative Level 2

Tina

Swan

Marine Society & Sea Cadets

Marina and Boatyard Operative Level 2

Max

Fleming

Marine Society & Sea Cadets

Marina and Boatyard Operative Level 2

Henry

McNeil

Marine Society & Sea Cadets

Marina and Boatyard Operative Level 2

Ewan

Clark

Oyster Yachts Ltd

Boat Building Standard Level 3

Cameron

McLeod

Oyster Yachts Ltd

Boat Building Standard Level 3


Get your ticket

The Southampton International Boat Show is open every day until Sunday 28 September, tickets online start at £29 (concessions from £23), and children aged 15 and under enter free with a paying adult.

Discover world-class vessels, cutting-edge craft, and unforgettable watersports experiences at the UK’s flagship marine event.

Book your tickets and find out more here: www.southamptonboatshow.com or follow our social channels for all the latest show news and updates.