Convening, Connecting, and Championing women across the South West maritime sector

Following a hugely successful event held to celebrate the IMO’s International Women in Maritime Day in May 2026 at Portland Port, we are delighted to formally launch the MUKSW Women in Maritime Network.

About the Network

The Maritime UK South West Women in Maritime Network brings together professionals from across the region’s maritime sector to support, connect, and champion women at every stage of their careers.

Convened by Maritime UK South West and linked to national UK Maritime clusters and networks, the Network provides opportunities to build professional connections, develop future leaders, promote mentoring, and inspire more women and girls to pursue maritime careers.

The Network is led by a rotating Chair and Vice Chair (every three years from May to April), appointed from Maritime UK South West member organisations, and supported as part of Maritime UK South West’s annual delivery plan to drive sustainable economic growth for the sector.

Chair 2026 – 2029: Sarah Fear, University of Plymouth

The Chair provides a strategic link to the Maritime UK South West Board, and serves as a national champion for the region.

Objectives

The Network aims to:

• Raise the profile of women working in the South West maritime sector.
• Support recruitment, retention, and progression while advocating for supportive, inclusive working environments.
• Develop future leaders through tailored growth and development opportunities.
• Promote mentoring and sponsorship through the Maritime UK South West Careers Programme.
• Showcase inspiring role models and clear career pathways.
• Drive employer best practice by sharing actionable Diversity, Equality and Inclusion frameworks across industry, education, and government.
• Engage allies to champion inclusion and drive cultural change across the sector.

Meetings

Meetings are held quarterly as in-person events. In-person attendance provides key opportunities for networking and relationship building.

The annual flagship MUKSW Women in Maritime Network event will be held on or close to the IMO’s International Day for Women in Maritime (18 May) each year.

This one-day event will rotate around the region.

Planned meeting dates and locations for the year 26/27 are:

• May 2026 (Portland Port)
• November 2026 (Plymouth)
• February 2027 (Dorset)
• May 2027 (Bristol)
• September 2027 (Falmouth)

Exact dates tbc.

Monthly online hourly social/informal drop-in sessions are also being planned for between in-person events.

Get involved

To keep up-to-date with the MUKSW Women in Maritime Network please ensure you are subscribed to the MUKSW Newsletter. Sign up here.