Seawork strengthens team and programme to deliver more value for the commercial marine sector

Seawork is strengthening its team and expanding its programme for 2027, with a clear focus on delivering greater value for exhibitors, sponsors and visitors – both at the exhibition and throughout the year.

As Europe’s leading commercial marine and workboat exhibition prepares for its 28th edition, Seawork is developing beyond the traditional three-day exhibition to create opportunities for businesses to build visibility, meet customers, showcase innovation and engage with the issues shaping the future of the sector.

The strengthened Commercial Marine team will support this development, bringing greater focus to the areas that shape the Seawork experience.

Fay Reeve has been appointed Seawork Exhibition Director, leading the delivery and continued development of the exhibition. Her focus will be on ensuring Seawork continues to evolve around the changing needs of the commercial marine market, creating an environment where exhibitors can do business effectively and visitors can find the products, people and information most relevant to them.

Ella Davies has been promoted to Senior Operations Manager, with expanded responsibility for operational delivery. This reinforces Seawork’s focus on providing a well-organised and professional exhibition experience, allowing exhibitors to concentrate on meeting customers, showcasing products and generating business.

Debbie Mason, Head of Content, will lead closer collaboration between Seawork and Maritime Journal, creating a stronger year-round content programme for the commercial marine community. This will provide opportunities to showcase exhibitor expertise, products and developments while keeping the industry engaged with Seawork before, during and after the exhibition.

The 2027 programme will also build on the success of Get Set for Workboat 2050. Now in its seventh year, the initiative will expand to include a new “In Conversation” series alongside further conference activity, giving exhibitors, sponsors and visitors opportunities to hear directly from industry leaders and engage with key issues affecting vessel operations, technology, workforce development and the future of the sector.

Fiona Pankhurst, Strategic Engagement Consultant, will coordinate Speed@Seawork and lead the new Seawork Pathways, bringing together Women in Marine, the Marine Electrical Apprentice & Cadet Competition, Seawork Membership and Training & Careers activity. This creates a more connected approach to skills, careers and industry engagement, giving businesses further opportunities to support future talent and contribute to the development of the sector.

Together, these developments will make Seawork more than a place to exhibit. For businesses, this means stronger opportunities to build relationships, raise their profile, launch products and stay connected with the market throughout the year. For visitors, it means relevant content, industry expertise, innovation and greater opportunities to connect with the people shaping commercial marine.

The aim is to create a more connected Seawork – bringing together the exhibition, content, networking, innovation, skills and industry engagement to support the commercial marine community throughout the year and deliver an even stronger experience when the industry comes together in Southampton in June 2027.