Published on: 23 June 2022
After two and a half years without the infamous British Marine Trades Association (MTA) awards dinner featuring in the diary, the much-loved event made a celebratory return on Monday 20 June 2022 in Southampton.
Up to 150 guests filled the Grand Café in Southampton thanks to sponsors A-Plan Insurance, Marine Resources, Barton Marine, Barrus and ASAP Supplies, and enthusiastically waited for the announcement of the industry award winners.
British Marine Trades Association Business of the Year went to Marine Resources. This well-respected British marine member had to all-but rebuild its business in the last 12 months while maintaining a strong and successful brand position.
The British Marine Trades Association Chairman’s Special Award was won by Mike Wood, who passionately founded the Disabled Sailing Association over two decades ago. Mike has personally raised and invested over £5 million into sailing for disabled people and nearly 50,000 have been able to access the water using his yachts and dinghies.
A favourite within the industry, the British Marine Trades Association Personality of the Year was awarded to Mike Shepherd. Nominated for his passion to create opportunities for businesses, and his continued support of the industry at every level.
During the evening, the David Coleman Excellence in Exporting Award was also presented with the 2021–2022 award going to the Global Marine Business Advisors, collected by GMBA business advisor, David Lewin. Barton Marine’s Suzanne Blaustone also retrospectively presented winners who hadn’t had an event due to Covid. The 2020–2021 winner was Rooster Sailing and the 2019–2022 award went to August Race.
Emma York, MTA chair, said of the event: “A new venue and time of year for the event has worked, setting everyone up for a great Seawork week. I am proud we have been able to bring back the MTA awards and celebrate a group of well-deserving and inspirational winners. To look around the room and see so many people talking, laughing, and having a good time means a lot, the MTA dinner that everyone remembers is back.”
To close what was said to be ‘an excellent evening,’ after dinner speakers Steve Dredge and Simon Lemon of Status Code 14, retired and serving policemen, had the room captivated as they talked about their incredible challenge of rowing the Atlantic later this year.
AWARD WINNERS
British Marine Trades Association Business of the Year 2022 – Marine Resources Recruitment
British Marine Trades Association Chairman’s Special Award 2022 – Mike Wood, Disabled Sailing Association
British Marine Trades Association Personality of the Year 2022 – Mike Shepherd
David Coleman Excellence in Exporting 2019 – 2020 – August Race
David Coleman Excellence in Exporting 2020 – 2021 – Rooster Sailing
David Coleman Excellence in Exporting 2021 – 2022 – Global Marine Business Advisors
Congratulations to all the award winners, we look forward to seeing everyone at the next event in 2023!
