Women in Marine returns to Southampton International Boat Show 2026

British Marine has confirmed that its Women in Marine panel and networking event will return to the Southampton International Boat Show 2026.

The event, themed ‘Real Women. Real Jobs. Real Opportunities.’, takes place on Wednesday 23 September from 5pm-7pm at Dockside, formerly the Quarterdeck Bar & Restaurant.

More than 130 industry professionals, students, career changers and prospective entrants attended the 2025 event – the biggest to date. This year’s panel promises to bring together women working in marine manufacturing, superyachts, yacht brokerage and marine law, who will discuss their career paths and share their professional experience.

“Women in Marine continues to be one of the most popular and inspiring events in the Southampton International Boat Show programme”, says Lyndsay McClay, president elect at British Marine. “This year’s theme; ‘Real Women. Real Jobs. Real Opportunities.’, perfectly reflects our ambition to showcase authentic career journeys and demonstrate the incredible variety of opportunities available within our industry.

“By bringing together women from different sectors and stages of their careers, we aim to create a space for learning, professional development and meaningful connections. While the discussion will provide valuable insights for those already working in the marine industry, it will also showcase the breadth of rewarding career opportunities available to anyone considering a future in the sector.”

The event is open to both women and men.

The panel includes: Anisah Roberts, manufacturing technician at Williams Jet Tenders and the inaugural British Marine Apprentice of the Year in 2024. After moving from a career in education into engineering, she now speaks at schools and industry events about apprenticeships, STEM careers and skills development.

Erin Smith, sales account executive at British Marine. She entered the marine industry in 2017, combining university studies with seasonal work as yacht crew in the Mediterranean before becoming a full-time stewardess aboard a 90m sailing yacht. She will discuss her experience of working in the superyacht sector.

Lucy Goff, marine lawyer and co-founder of Ocean Legal. She specialises in yacht and superyacht transactions, ownership and dispute resolution. She will discuss her career in marine law and the range of opportunities available within marine professional services.

Sophie Kemp, sailing yacht broker at Berthon International. She has nearly a decade of brokerage experience alongside extensive offshore sailing experience, including an Atlantic crossing. She will discuss how she built a career in yacht brokerage.

The panel discussion will be followed by networking with drinks and refreshments, giving attendees an opportunity to continue conversations with the speakers and other industry professionals.

Additional programme

Visitors to the Southampton International Boat Show can also attend talks and presentations throughout the day from speakers working across the marine industry.

The sessions cover careers, skills development, leadership, innovation and personal experiences from across the sector. Details of the daytime programme and speaker line-up will be announced in the coming months.

Women in Marine forms part of British Marine’s programme supporting diversity, inclusion and skills development within the leisure marine sector.

The event also continues its support for Room to Read, a global non-profit organisation focused on literacy and gender equality through education. Attendees can support the charity’s Girls’ Education Programme through donations.

Women in Marine at Southampton Boat Show 

Women in Marine 2026: How to book

Date: Wednesday 23 September 2026

Time: 5pm-7pm

Location: Dockside, Southampton International Boat Show

Places can be reserved by emailing [email protected]

Entry to the event requires a valid Southampton International Boat Show ticket.