SMIFutures Board Members

SMIFutures Chair:

Prune Bouillot - Naval Architect, Houlder Limited

Prune graduated from UCL with a BASc in Engineering and Social Sciences and a MSc in Naval Architecture. Her MSc dissertation was conducted in partnership with Houlder Limited, researching ways to improve the environmental performance of research vessels, using the RRS Sir David Attenborough as a case study. Since then, Prune has joined Houlder’s sustainability advisory team working as a naval architect & sustainability analyst. In this role, she has been involved in various concept designs for ships using alternative fuels (hydrogen, biofuels, methanol), as well as projects modelling emissions of fleets to better manage and reduce them. Prune is also passionate about improving diversity and inclusion within the maritime sector and has been working on various initiatives including Houlder’s spotlights and engagement with schools to encourage children from all backgrounds to join the industry

SMIFutures Vice-Chair:

Jonathan Brown – Technical Specialist - Naval Architect, Malin Group

Jonathan graduated from the University of Strathclyde with a Masters in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. During this time, he worked in a range of industries including defence, commercial, heavy lift, and oil and gas both in Scotland and China. Since, he has worked for BAE Systems on the Graduate Development Framework, gaining both design and commissioning experience. Following this, he joined Malin Group as a Technical Specialist – Naval Architect to work on developing Malin's long term and concept projects and has also taken on the role of Technical Director for Malin Marine Consultants. In 2020 he was selected as a Future Maritime Leader by the Global Maritime Forum.

SMIFutures Board Members:

Ivan Alonso – R&D Electronics Engineer, Aquatec Group

Ivan is currently an R&D Electronics Engineer at Aquatec Group. Before Aquatec, he worked at 4 different companies as an Engineer. In 3 of them, he was an EMC Engineer, specialised in Electromagnetic Compatibility certification and troubleshooting. In the other one, he was working as Product Engineer, developing small home appliances for an international brand. In Aquatec, he designs electronics, develops code (Firmware and Software), and also prototypes R&D projects. His role perfectly matches his passion, electronics, and he really enjoys his job.

Tirren Ambroziak – Junior Oceanographic Data Engineer, OceanWise

Having graduated from Southampton with a Masters in Oceanography, I got my first job at OceanWise supporting both the field team and operations team on a number of projects. Over my time there I have been heavily involved in helping to maintain the National Tide Gauge Network around the coast of the UK as well as taking on my own projects. During these projects I have helped to design bespoke environmental monitoring systems for ports and harbours around the UK allowing Harbour Masters to have a ‘real-time’ view of the conditions at their sites which influence operating procedures.

Phoebe Chadwick – Ocean Scientist (Fisheries & Acoustics), RS Aqua

With a background in marine environmental science and oceanography, Phoebe works within the scientific and technical sales team at RS Aqua as an Ocean Scientist. She leads on all acoustic fish tracking projects, passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) applications, and robotics for habitat mapping. She works closely with industry, academics, and non-profit organisations to understand their project requirements and support them in choosing the best equipment to achieve sustainable and reliable results.

Alexander Considine – Project Controls Manager: Reporting & Governance, BAE Systems Maritime Naval Ships

Alex is a Project Controls Manager within the T26 Project Management Office at BAE Systems Maritime Naval Ships, based in Glasgow.  Alex is responsible for the reporting and governance scope and strategy within Naval Ships, supporting a reporting transformation using new toolsets as well as leading the Lifecycle Management Process for the T26 Programme – T26 is a multi-billion pound programme, spanning eight frigates with hundreds of suppliers across the globe.  Alex initially joined BAE Systems in 2017 as an Industrial Placement for 14 months, before completing his degree in Business and Management from the University of Lincoln and returning to BAE Systems as a Project Management Graduate in September 2019.  Since then, Alex has had a variety of roles within OPV delivery, T26 Wholeship Controls & Integration, BAE Systems Land UK (as a secondment), change programmes within T26, and now the T26 Project Management Office.  Alex’s interests lie in using data from a variety of sources to inform strategy and help define tactical management actions, delivering those actions to complete improvement projects.

Riyadh Choudhury - Internal Sales Marine and Offshore, Roxtec Limited

With the combination of a Mechanical Engineering Degree and previous experience in sales, procurement, marketing and account management, Riyadh has accumulated a wealth of experience and has knowledge in many sectors within the engineering industry.  

The role of a sales engineer has always been an integral part of his career. His appointment to the position of Technical Sales Engineer within the marine and offshore segment for Roxtec, a leading cable and pipe seal manufacturer will further develop Riyadh into an industry which he finds to be his most exciting thus far.

Sam Fawcett - Manager of The Centre For Coastal Technologies, PML Applications

Sam trained as a marine biologist at the Universities of Stirling and Plymouth, focussing on genetics before joining PML Applications. Since then he has become an expert in ocean carbon dioxide removal (oCDR) and marine licensing. Building on his experience providing support and specialist consultation across a diverse range of sectors, from defence to offshore energy, Sam is now the manager of the Centre for Coastal Technologies. His recent work leading the PML applications team for the first field trial of ocean alkalinity enhancement was published in Nature Communications – Earth and Environment, providing insight into the viability of ocean alkalinity enhancement as a method for global carbon dioxide removal.

Conor Gorman - Acoustic Engineer, Future Capabilities, Thales UK

Conor has a MEng in Acoustical Engineering from the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research (ISVR), University of Southampton (2016-2020).

Since then he has worked in the maritime defence industry as an Acoustic Engineer for Thales UK, working primarily with acoustic transducers and SONAR hardware. His role involves engaging throughout the product engineering lifecycle, from research and initial design concepts through to supporting production and in-service product support.

He enjoys taking on technical and delivery challenges, supporting team capability enhancement, and expanding experience and knowledge in different domains. Beyond his core engineering role Conor actively supports early careers events, new starters and STEM initiatives.

Jacob Graham - Systems Lead, OCEA Shipbuilding (UK) Ltd

After graduating in Systems Engineering and multiple naval industry placements, Jacob worked for Cammell Laird from 2018-2021 and subsequently joined OCEA(UK) as the Systems Lead in January 2022. His previous roles required continual engagement with both UK government and international customers that led to his desire to learn more about the maritime enterprise. Jacob is now leading an internal OCEA project to develop cutting-edge interface systems for their international customers. Jacob was also a previous chair for FutureNEST, the young professional arm of UK Naval Engineering, Science and Technology (UKNEST).

Emma Johnson – Director: Marine Science and Maritime Autonomy, Society of Maritime Industries

Emma has a BSc in Marine Biology and an MSc in Marine and Aquatic Biology from the University of Portsmouth. During the MSc a range of topics from Aquaculture to Subtidal Marine Ecology were covered. For her dissertation she worked with MDL Marinas and Blue Marine Foundation on the native oyster restoration project. For the 3 years following university she worked for Chelsea Technologies Ltd. During this time, she worked closely with international agents and customers as well as representing the company at conferences, exhibitions and in presentations and panel debates. Emma joined SMI in September 2020 as Director of the Marine Science & Technology Group (MSTG) and Maritime Autonomous Systems Group (MASG). She is committed to ensuring our members in these groups are represented to government. In 2022 Emma launched a new SMIFutures initiative to support and develop future leaders in the maritime sector.

Sam Kirby – Business Development Manager, Chelsea Technologies Limited

Sam Kirby is the business development manager at Chelsea Technologies, an environmental sensor manufacturer based in the UK. He holds a master’s degree in marine biology from the University of Southampton and has experience in the shellfish aquaculture industry. Sam was the commercial lead for the international Newton Fund project, Advancing Digital Precision in Aquaculture in China (ADPAC).

Tom Nugent – Senior Shipbroker, CSO Shipbrokers,  and Head of CTV Activities CSO Marine Group

Tom has a bachelor’s degree in business and management from Portsmouth University. For the past 5 years, he has been responsible for building out the CTV Chartering, Sale and Purchase and Market Analysis function within CSO Shipbrokers, whilst also being an active advocate for UK shipbuilding and ownership. Tom is responsible for all commercial CTV activity within the wider CSO Group, a regular speaker and representative of CSO Shipbrokers at industry events.

Nick Price – Senior Shipbroker, Century Marine Services Ltd

Nick has a bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Kent. He is a senior shipbroker with Century Marine Services Ltd where he has worked for over a decade specialising in the Sale & Purchase, Chartering and Valuation of Workboats & Tugs among other Offshore/port-related ancillary vessel types. Nicks particular specialism and area of interest in the global Multicat vessel market. Nick is a regular attendee at British Tugowners Association & Workboat Association events and often Moderator at European Tugowners Association conferences. Nick is a strong believer in the growth/strength of the UK maritime sector including the future of UK shipbuilding & ship owning/operating.

Ed Purkhardt - 
Associate Material Science Engineer, Metals, Corrosion and NDE, Qinetiq

Ed started his career as a graduate at QinetiQ. During and since the graduate scheme he has been supporting the Royal Navy with their materials related questions and problems. He has started work supporting the Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) of a priority materials question in support of AUKUS.

He is also seconded into Navy command headquarters within the Force Development team. Where he has been supporting a significant piece of work known as the Future Force Mix, this is an evidenced based study that has suggested the required build, shape and structure that the RN needs to achieve by 2035 in order to meet current and emerging threats. The FFM has been submitted and accepted by 1SL and endorsed by MoD as the most convincing piece of evidence produced in the past decade.

Harriet Rowlands – Business Development Manager, Sonihull

Harriet heads up the London office for Sonihull Ultrasonic Antifouling, supporting dealers and key clients as Business Development Manager. Her International Business degree from Oxford comes in handy with the global nature of a day in the life of Sonihull. Harriet’s position allows her to take passion for helping the environment around the world, as she represents Sonihull at global shows in all areas of the maritime sector.

Rheanne Sun-wai – Engineering Manager - Engineering Function (Process Development), BAE Systems Submarines

Rheanne is a Technologist currently working for BAE Systems Maritime and Land, focused on developing future product and service technologies and strategies. With a background in Physics and an MSc in Aeronautics from Imperial College London, Rheanne began her career with BAE Systems 5 years ago as a Noise and Vibration Engineer. Since joining the company Rheanne has taken on a number of roles, predominantly in the Research & Development teams within BAE Systems Submarines and now across the Maritime and Land portfolio. Rheanne is excited to be part of SMIFutures and working across the Society of Maritime Industries.

Elsie Taylor - Corporate Affairs Project Manager, Babcock International Group

Elsie graduated from the University of Plymouth with a Bachelors degree in Business Management. Following this, she immediately started her career at Babcock International Ltd. working from Devonport Royal Dockyard as a Project Management Graduate, before moving into the Submarines Business Support team. After a year of operational experience, she moved to the Babcock Corporate Affairs team where she primarily supports the development of relationships with government and industry through such initiatives as the Strategic Supplier Programme, Institute for Collaborative Working and MarRI-UK. Elsie brings a passion for collaboration as well as a keen interest in the Maritime sector.

For more information about SMIFutures or to get involved please contact Emma Johnson.