Meet our Sponsors

Diversity Champion

Royal Navy

The world is becoming more contested and less predictable. The pace of technological development is dramatically changing warfare beyond anything any of us have experienced before. Threats to the UK, our allies, and our interests are increasing across all domains. In this environment, the Royal Navy must be ready for warfighting as part of the integrated force in the modern combative age. 

OUR ROLE IS CLEAR
To protect the nation, under, on, above and from the sea. To do this, the Royal Navy will be bold in change and focused on our unifying purpose: Ready to fight, and able to win. This is not a distant ambition – it is a necessity now. A Royal Navy that is respected by allies, feared by enemies, and remains the pride of our island nation.

Future Skills – Large Business

South Hampshire College Group

South Hampshire College Group (SHCG) is a large, merged college group, that brings together three Further Education colleges from Southampton, Eastleigh and Fareham to make one strong, responsive and ambitious organisation. The mission of South Hampshire College Group is to enable all students, apprentices and our region’s businesses to be successful in their future through high-quality technical and professional education and training.

Future Skills – Small Business

BAE Systems

Our mission at BAE Systems Defence Solutions is to support and protect those that serve and protect us. 

Through our three core delivery streams — Munitions, Products, and Warship Support — we deliver integrated, high-performance solutions tailored to meet the evolving demands of modern military operations. 

From Cowes, we support and develop the Royal Navy’s core radar systems, our Broad Oak site manufactures the world’s most advanced torpedoes, and from Portsmouth Naval Base, we support a significant portion of the Naval fleet.

Maritime Defence Supply Chain Enterprise of the Year

Solent Stevedores

Solent Stevedores has been proudly operating as an award-winning family-run company for more than 20 years. With market-leading port services in cargo operations, dry bulk, fresh produce, cruise stevedoring, rail and container services, Solent Stevedores operates from 7 locations across the UK, Singapore, Northern France and Channel Islands.

Clean Maritime Innovator

ABP

Associated British Ports (ABP) is the UK’s leading ports group, with 21 ports handling around a quarter of the UK’s seaborne trade. Together with customers, ABP’s ports contribute £7.5 billion to the UK economy and support 119,000 jobs.

ABP Southampton operates the Port of Southampton and is the UK’s number one vehicle handling port, capable of processing 900,000 vehicles per year.

Small Business of the Year

Solent University

Solent University is all about creating opportunities: for its students, for its staff, for its partners. It offers expertise and experiences you couldn’t get anywhere else, opening doors and making introductions. They are focused on the practical side of higher education – giving students the connections, experience and confidence to turn their newfound knowledge into a career with real, meaningful impact. Whoever you are, whatever your goals, Solent University wants to help you make your mark.

Sustainability Leadership

Portsmouth International Port

Portsmouth International Port is the UK’s most successful local authority owned port. It is considered the best connected, with direct access to the motorway, close to the main Solent shipping channels and has more routes to Europe than any other UK port, with sailings to France and Spain. A leading sustainable operator, the port’s terminal building boasts innovative technology, which includes sea water harvesting used to flush toilets and regulate temperature. Wind capture is also used on the roof for cooling the building and living walls help purify the air. 

Apprentice or Cadet of the Year

Chartwell Marine

Chartwell Marine – from its base in Hamble, Southampton – is a trusted pioneer of next-generation vessel design. A reputed naval architect with an industry-leading track record designing award-winning commercial and leisure vessels, Chartwell Marine supports ambitious boat builders and vessel operators around the world with specialist, independent design and consultancy services.

Technology Game Changer

Red Funnel

Founded in 1861, Red Funnel is the original Isle of Wight ferry company and has been proudly serving for over 164 years. Operating 365 days a year, our 7-strong fleet and 500+ colleagues deliver more than 30,000 sailings and 3 million passenger crossings annually between Southampton and the Island. A true champion of British Maritime, we were honoured with the Maritime 2050 Award in 2019 for supporting UK shipbuilding. With heritage at our heart and innovation at our helm, Red Funnel continues to connect communities and inspire journeys across the Solent.

Start-up of the Year

University of Southampton

The Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute at the University of Southampton unites experts to develop innovative and sustainable solutions for harnessing the ocean’s potential. Tapping into expertise that spans ocean sciences, maritime engineering, culture & heritage, and maritime law, SMMI works with businesses, governments, and NGOs whilst educating future leaders. Our research transforms ocean space management; how vessels of the future will be powered, crewed and regulated, through to the criticality of culture, heritage and creativity to society and industry.  Building on this, the Centre for Green Maritime Innovation is being established to position the UK as a global leader in zero-carbon shipping, advancing technologies that reduce emissions, tackle climate change, and drive economic growth toward a sustainable, net-zero maritime future.

Brochure

Shield Marine Services

Shield Marine Services is part of the Shield Services Group and specialises in outfitting, deck coverings, upholstery as well as fire, thermal and acoustic insulation for commercial and defence vessels. 

Shield is a key supplier to the cruise sector, with operations in Southampton and Cornwall and a team that operates across the globe, providing services to customers when their ships are in operation across the world. 

Shield is also proud to support the defence sector and currently working on a five-ship contract supporting Babcock International Group on the delivery of the new Type 31 class of frigates, operating out of its dedicated maritime hub in Rosyth. 

The business continues its ongoing support to the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary through its waterfront offices in Falmouth, Cornwall and across the UK. 

Finalist Reception Host

Carnival UK

Carnival UK is the UK’s largest cruise operator and as the operating company for P&O Cruises and Cunard, no one knows cruising like we do. We take enormous pride in creating unforgettable holiday happiness by bringing to life two of the most iconic brands from Britain’s rich seafaring heritage. With our enduring link to maritime and UK headquarters in Southampton we help to make cruise a significant contributor to the UK economy and one of the most important industries for the south coast. Reflecting our long-standing partnership with the Maritime Solent, we are delighted to host the Finalist’s Reception for the 2025 Maritime Solent Awards.

Cavendish Consulting

Cavendish is a multi-disciplinary communications consultancy that blends strategic insight with creative excellence to help brands lead with clarity, authenticity, and purpose. We are bold, curious, aspirational, authoritative and impactful: values that shape everything we do, from brand strategy to digital execution. We deliver end-to-end digital solutions that are rooted in user-centric design. Our integrated teams – spanning technology, design, video, and communications – collaborate to create sector-defining campaigns that not only look exceptional but connect intuitively with diverse audiences.