By Emily Dove, BLUE Communications / WISTA UK
WISTA UK held its prestigious annual black-tie dinner on the evening of February 26, 2025, at the iconic In & Out Club in St James’, London. The event brought together leading figures from across the maritime industry to celebrate diversity, inclusion and the remarkable progress made in advancing women’s roles within the sector. The evening kicked off with a warm welcome from WISTA UK President Monica Kohli, OBE, and was expertly hosted by Namrata Nadkarni, CEO at Intent Communications, whose charm and wit set the stage for an inspiring night of thought-provoking speeches and discussions.
Maritime Minister Mike Kane delivered an inspiring speech that resonated with both current leaders and those who aspire to make a difference. His remarks focused on the critical role of leadership in shaping the future of the maritime sector, stating, “Our primary purpose as leaders is to create leaders, not followers.” Kane highlighted the importance of supporting the next generation of maritime professionals, reinforcing the need for government initiatives such as the Smart Fund to support training and innovation in the industry. The Minister also reiterated the government’s commitment to improving diversity and representation within the maritime sector. He emphasised the significance of sharing stories and personal experiences to help break stereotypes, advocating for a future where people are judged by their actions, not their identities.
Karen Davies, Managing Director at OCIMF and a veteran master mariner, shared her remarkable journey of career progression and overcoming barriers as one of the first female cadets from a US academy in 1979. Reflecting on the struggles and triumphs that shaped her career, Karen spoke about the critical role of supportive networks and mentors in helping women advance in non-traditional roles and the importance of access. She encouraged the audience to continue fostering an environment where leadership actively works to eliminate harassment and discrimination, emphasising that leadership begins with setting clear policies that foster inclusivity and respect.
Gemma Griffin MBE, Vice President & Head of Global Crewing at DFDS, took the stage to discuss the company’s focused efforts on increasing the number of women in maritime roles, particularly within deck and engine crews. With women currently making up only 5% of deck and engine officers, DFDS has set an ambitious target of achieving 10% representation within three years. Her compelling story of tackling barriers and taking concrete steps to recruit and train female cadets across multiple countries, including Denmark, Turkey and the UK, resonated with many in the room. Gemma reinforced the importance of allies in this mission, particularly the role that men must play in advancing gender equality in the industry.
Phil Parry, Chairman at Spinnaker, spoke passionately about the global importance of the shipping industry and the vital role that diversity plays in ensuring the future of maritime services. He drew attention to the report from Maritime London, which highlights the £6.6 billion generated by the UK’s maritime services sector. Phil also shared a story from a young female broker, whose experiences of harassment in a predominantly male industry served as a stark reminder of the challenges still faced by women in maritime. He called on the industry to continue evolving, urging men to become allies in promoting a more inclusive and respectful work environment for all. Phil also introduced the MLOCS Cadetship program, a vital initiative designed to support British cadets. The program’s focus on providing opportunities for young women and men alike to enter the industry demonstrates the ongoing efforts to diversify the maritime workforce. Phil’s message was clear: the future of maritime depends on creating equal opportunities for everyone, both at sea and ashore.
The evening concluded with an inspiring address from Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General at the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Arsenio highlighted the ongoing collaboration between IMO and WISTA INTERNATIONAL particularly the recent survey conducted to assess the state of gender diversity in maritime. While progress has been made, Arsenio stressed that there is still much work to be done. He encouraged everyone in the room to continue advocating for gender equality, mentoring young women and leading by example. His call to action was both powerful and hopeful, as he envisioned a future where the next Secretary-General of the IMO could very well be a woman.
Arsenio’s remarks also referenced the broader push for diversity across industries, noting that maritime must not lag behind global trends in supporting women. “We cannot slow down,” he said. “We must continue to create opportunities and break down barriers.”
The WISTA UK Black Tie Dinner was not just a celebration of past achievements but also a call to action to support fundraising efforts to sponsor a female cadet under the MLOCS Scheme . WISTA UK continues to accept donations, which can be made here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/wistauk
As WISTA UK enters its 51st year of advancing diversity in the maritime industry, the message was clear: the work is far from over, but together, the industry will continue to break down barriers, create opportunities, and inspire the next generation of maritime leaders.
For more about WISTA UK and its initiatives, visit WISTA UK.
