STEM Returners are absolutely delighted to have been announced as the winners of the prestigious diversity category at the 2020 Maritime UK Awards in Plymouth.
Thousands of industry professionals watched online as the ceremony, hosted by British sailor Dee Caffari, was broadcast from The Box, the city’s new museum, art gallery and cultural hub. Fittingly, the awards were given out against a backdrop of the museum’s spectacular display of 300 ships’ badges, underneath the collection of Royal Naval figureheads suspended from the ceiling.
STEM Returners were nominated alongside the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and Tile Cross Academy who Director Natalie Desty paid tribute to in her speech for their incredible work in making UK maritime more diverse and inclusive.
“We are absolutely delighted to be named the diversity award winner”, Said Natalie Desty, Founder of the STEM Returners Programme.
“We started the programme specifically for maritime with UKNEST companies such as BAE Systems and Babcock and we’ve been amazed at the successes we have had. It feels like it has become a part of the fabric of those organisations (who have held pilot returners programmes).”
Minister for Maritime, Robert Courts MP, spoke of how important the event was for the UK maritime industry as the sector moves towards decarbonisation.
“The 2020 Maritime UK Awards is a fantastic opportunity for the maritime sector to come together to celebrate its achievements, particularly its significant contribution to the UK’s Covid-19 response, and support for future talent.
“Decarbonising shipping is essential to achieve the target of net-zero emissions across the economy by 2050, and the clean maritime sector offers a huge opportunity for Britain to build back greener. By winning our DfT Clean Maritime Awards, Babcock International and the Port of Tyne shine a light on the great progress being made by our world leading sector in moving towards net-zero and a more sustainable industry.”
You can now rewatch the 2020 UK Maritime Award via the video embed below! (Diversity award at 1:21:00)