Monica Kohli has been awarded an OBE and Katy Ware an MBE in the King’s 2025 New Year Honours list.
Monica, President of the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) UK, receives her honour ‘For services to Promoting Diversity in the Maritime Industry’. A solicitor specialising in Maritime law, Monica is dual qualified in India and England & Wales and has been practising shipping and trade law for the past two decades; as an Advocate in India, and as a Solicitor in UK.
Katy, who was appointed as the director of UK Maritime Services in April 2016, becomes an MBE for services to marine safety and technology. Her role as Permanent Representative of the UK to the International Maritime Organisation saw her facilitate, co-ordinate and negotiate all maritime matters between other governmental departments, the European Union and the International Maritime Organization.
Both women have taken part in Seawork Women In Marine Industry events; Katy in 2021 shedding light on some of the changes that the COVID pandemic wrought on the MCA, including repatriating over 30,000 crew as the cruise and other shipping sectors closed down, and Monica celebrating WISTA UK’s Golden Jubilee celebrations alongside Seawork’s Silver Anniversary in 2024.
The Seawork Women In Marine Industry event offers women in the commercial marine industry an opportunity to hear about key industry developments and initiatives, share their own career experiences and know-how, and enjoy a convivial glass or two whilst renewing and expanding networks.
The 2025 Seawork Women In Marine Industry event, sponsored by SLR Recruitment Solutions and held in partnership with WISTA UK, will take place on the afternoon of Tuesday 10 June, the first day of Seawork 2025.
