Meet our Judges

Catherine is Head of Strategy in the Department for Transports’ Maritime Directorate. Her focus is on the delivery of Maritime 2050 and the development of regional maritime clusters across the UK. Catherine’s civil service career has spanned across a number of transport modes including cycling, aviation and rail as well time working in housing and regeneration projects.

Professor Cathy Barnes is the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Academic Strategy, and Planning at Southampton Solent University and is delighted to be a judge at the Maritime Solent Awards 2025. 

In her role at Southampton Solent University, she leads research and business engagement and ensures alignment with the university’s educational mission, identifying opportunities for growth and improvement.

Previously, Cathy served as  Commercial Director at the University of Salford, leading a change program to enhance academic enterprise and partnerships. At Leeds Beckett University, she was the Director of Research and Enterprise, managing a budget of over £10 million.

With a background in Mechanical Engineering, Cathy started her working life as a submarine designer. Her research focuses on design and manufacturing, and she has collaborated with numerous companies, securing grants from InnovateUK, EPSRC, and the EU. Passionate about higher education’s role in social mobility, Cathy continues to drive innovation and growth in her field.

As Underwater Lead, QinetiQ, Chris handles the development of business in the Submarine domain.

Chris joined QinetiQ in April 2017 and is based in Hampshire, UK. Prior to joining QinetiQ, Chris worked in Oil and Gas where he had roles developing Leadership, delivering decommissioning strategy for 14 oil fields, and as a Field and Terminal manager in Aberdeen.

Chris served in the Royal Navy for 28 years reaching the rank of Captain before retiring early. A Submariner by trade, his first appointment was in HMS OPPORTUNE before serving in various nuclear submarines of the SWIFTSURE, VANGUARD and TRAFALGAR classes. He passed the Perisher course in 2000, oversaw a complex nuclear repair in Gibraltar as XO in HMS TIRELESS, and commanded HMS TORBAY from 2004-2006. Other appointments of note included, Patrol Vessel command, Assistant Secretary to the Chiefs of Staff Committee in MoD, UK/US Submarine Liaison Officer in the British Embassy in Washington DC, and Commander of the aircraft carrier HMS ILLUSTRIOUS. His first appointment as a Captain saw him responsible for the Royal Navy People Strategy, before his final role in the Royal Navy where he worked for Flag Officer Sea Training as the Captain responsible for all Submarine Sea and Shore Training, including oversight of the Perisher Course.

Chris is President of the Gosport Submariners Association, a committee member of the Friends of the RN SM Museum, a Liveryman and Master elect of the Tinplate Workers alias Wire Workers, and a Younger Brother of Trinity House.

Dr Louise Butt is the Director of the Space South Central Enterprise Network, the delivery arm of Space South Central – one of the UK’s largest and most dynamic regional space clusters. With over six years of dedicated leadership in the sector, Louise has been a passionate advocate for the transformative potential of space and satellite technologies.

During her tenure at the South Coast Centre of Excellence in Satellite Applications, Louise led a team that played a pivotal role in unlocking the region’s latent space potential. She has been instrumental in building a vibrant regional space community, forging strong partnerships between business, academia, and government, and championing initiatives that drive economic growth through innovation.

Louise’s influence extends beyond her role at Space South Central. She is a board member of Made Smarter South-East, where she helps steer the digital transformation of manufacturing and engineering SMEs, and sits on the ADS Space Sector Council, contributing her expertise to national space strategy and sector development.

Her work is distinguished by a deep commitment to harnessing science and technology for commercial, academic, and societal benefit. Louise is dedicated to building networks that accelerate the adoption and impact of space-based solutions, enabling organisations to collaborate, innovate, and thrive.

Tim is serves as Board Director at Europe’s leading marina company MDL Marinas, driving sales revenue growth across marina operations whilst leading group sales and marketing strategy.

Tim was recognised as Master of MarTech 2018 and Sales Manager of the Year 2012. He demonstrates exceptional expertise in revenue optimisation, digital transformation, and stakeholder management from operational through to executive board level.

Tim founded the UK’s first dedicated Green Technology Boat Show, demonstrating commitment to sustainable maritime innovation and launched the UKs first green gym chain MDL Fitness.

Dr Robyn Pyne is a leading figure in maritime education and research, with over 25 years of experience across the seafaring, academic, and policy sectors.

Her maritime career began in 1997 as a Trinity House cadet through which she gained an HND in Merchant Vessel Operations at Glasgow College of Nautical Studies. She later earned a BSc in Maritime Business & Law, an MSc in Social Research, and a PhD funded by the UK’s Economic and Social Research Council, which explored the implementation of STCW regulations and maritime curricula in China.

Dr Pyne has worked internationally, including as a visiting lecturer at Dalian Maritime University and as an examiner with the British Council. Since 2017, she has been based at Liverpool John Moores University, where she leads BSc and MSc programs in Maritime and Logistics Management. In 2024, she became Associate Dean for Global Engagement with oversight of the academic quality of their numerous international partnerships in STEM disciplines.

Her research focuses on smart ports, maritime regulation, decarbonisation, and the future skills agenda. She was principal investigator for the Erasmus+ SkillSea project, which developed digital, green, and soft skills frameworks for maritime professionals across Europe, which has fed into recommendations for the ongoing update to the STCW Convention. She is also part of the academic team delivering the £2.5 million EPSRC-funded Maritime & Last Mile Net Zero project, advancing clean shipping and logistics innovation in the Liverpool City Region.

Dr Pyne is widely recognised for her contributions to sustainable maritime operations, skills development, and educational innovation. Her ability to bridge operational experience with academic insight makes her a highly respected voice in shaping the future of the maritime sector.