MTA/Boating Business Awards at London Boat Show

The Marine Trades Association/Boating Business Awards, which recognise excellence in individuals and companies working in the UK marine industry, were presented at the Marine Trades Association (MTA) Dinner at the CWM FX London Boat Show on Tuesday 13^th January 2015.

Panels from Boating Business and the MTA consider the nominations for the annual awards, which were presented in front of a packed audience of industry professionals at Gaucho at the O2. The awards are sponsored by Boating Business, Matchtech, Ocean Safety and Boatshop24.

The MTA award for Retailer of the Year went to Landau UK Ltd – an award winning Installer and Retro-Fitter of all equipment and systems to luxury yachts, both power and sail, based in Swanwick in Hampshire. Alice Driscoll of ADPR Ltd was awarded the MTA Personality of the Year. Alice is a well-known figure in the industry and set up ADPR in Somerset in 1991.

The Chairman’s Special Award was presented to Murray Ellis (BMF/NBF).

MTA Chairman, Riki Hooker, said: “We are delighted to be able to use these awards to publicly acknowledge the work done by these individuals and companies.  The winners tonight serve as an inspiration to future generations of marine industry professionals.”

The Boating Business awards celebrate achievement across a range of areas from the Boating Business Environment Award to the Boating Business Lifetime Achievement Award. This year’s Boating Business Scott Deverell Young Businessperson of the Year award was presented to James Beale, Commercial Director at MG Duff.  James joined the Chichester based company’s technical sales team in 2009; his enthusiasm and strong technical and commercial aptitude led to his appointment as Commercial Director just 18 months later.

This year, the Boating Business Environment Award was presented to MDL Marinas, recognising the company’s innovative waste reduction initiatives, ‘zero to landfill’ waste disposal strategies and use of only renewable electricity. Oceanair’s clear, informative and easy to use website won the Boating Business Website Award.

The Boating Business Young Entrepeneur of the Year was presented to Declan Fitchew of Aquascene.  Declan started his company whilst studying for a Business Management degree at Loughborough University.  His online retail shop has gone from strength to strength and is now the UK’s leading inflatable kayak retailer.

The Boating Business awards were presented by Peter Nash, Editor of Boating Business.

The evening’s final award was the coveted Boating Business Lifetime Achievement Award, which was presented to Peter Edwards. Peter has been loyal to the marine industry for over 40 years and is the co-founder of ASAP Supplies.  He is a passionate supporter of marine committees, local trade committees and issues affecting boating and the marine environment.

Nominations for next year’s awards will open in autumn 2015, details of the nomination procedure will appear in the MTA newsletter.