Maritime Solent has announced the appointment of Keith Greenfield as its new Chair, following the completion of Anne‑Marie Mountifield’s term as the organisation’s inaugural Chair in October 2025. Keith joined the Maritime Solent Board in October 2024 and now steps into the role at a pivotal moment for the region’s maritime sector.
Keith brings more than two decades of senior leadership experience across maritime, rail, and aviation, including 9 years as former CEO of Wightlink, the largest cross‑Solent ferry operator. His career spans complex, multi‑stakeholder environments, with a strong focus on customer experience, decarbonisation, and long‑term strategic investment.
Maritime Solent is the industry‑led, not‑for‑profit organisation championing a thriving maritime sector across the central south coast of England. As one of the UK’s Government‑recognised regional maritime clusters, it brings together the full breadth of the sector and its supply chain – from Poole to Chichester and Ventnor to Yateley – to strengthen collaboration, accelerate growth, and amplify the region’s global maritime reputation.
At the heart of Maritime Solent is a clear and deeply held belief: we are stronger together, and we all succeed together. The organisation exists to build a connected, resilient, and future‑facing maritime ecosystem – one that thrives not only because of individual effort, but because of collective ambition. Its work ensures the Solent’s maritime strengths, priorities, and challenges are represented at the highest levels of Government, enabling the region to shape national decision‑making and sector leadership.
What makes Maritime Solent distinct is its deliberately regional focus. It is not a national body; it is rooted in the communities, industries, and coastal economy of the Central South Coast. Its ecosystem spans ports and shipping, maritime defence, advanced manufacturing, skills and training, research and innovation, boatbuilding, and leisure marine – giving it a unique vantage point and a unique responsibility to convene industry, academia, and government.
Quote from Keith Greenfield
“I’m genuinely thrilled to take on the role of Chair at Maritime Solent. This region has the most diverse and capable maritime ecosystem in the UK, and the opportunity to help strengthen it further is something I care deeply about. Maritime Solent is special because it gives the sector a single, coherent voice – one that is proudly regional, rooted in collaboration, and focused on delivering real impact for the businesses and communities that depend on maritime. We achieve far more together than we ever could alone, and I’m looking forward to working with partners across the Solent to champion the region and drive its future success.”
Maritime Solent will be holding its annual Summit at Portsmouth International Port on Wednesday 15th April 2026, sponsored by Chartwell Marine, Eclipse Power Network, GSTS, Portsmouth International Port, and Seawork / Mercator Media. The programme includes:
- Global Trade Winds and Ports as Economic Engines
- Devolution across Hampshire and Solent
- Maritime Defence in a Changing World
- Cybersecurity and Resilience
- Portsmouth at 100: Maritime Identity and Culture
- Maritime Decarbonisation
Tickets are available here