Speakers
Elizabeth Joseph CEng CMarEng MIMarEST
Nicholas Smith
Ashleigh Kitchiner
Future Leaders Forum
Many young professionals share stories of employers who don’t actively encourage chartership or membership in a professional body. But achieving chartered status is more than just a credential—it’s a powerful career asset that enhances credibility, opens doors to new opportunities, and strengthens professional networks.
Whether you're considering chartership or advocating for employer support, this discussion will equip you with the knowledge to take the next step with confidence.
Responsible for proposing, developing, and executing Advanced System and Product Solutions, as well as managing system NPIs to support system offerings.
Nick has more than 30 years’ technical leadership experience with the Marine & Power Conversion Business, including more than 25 years in commercial, offshore and Military Marine solutions.
Responsible for the Design, build and setting to work of Many Naval Power and Propulsion Systems including Type 23 Frigates, Type 45 Destroyers, Albion Class LPDs, Zumwalt Class Destroyers, the Electric Ship Technology Demonstrator, and the Queen Elizabeth Class Power System, as well as numerous commercial marine platforms.
Has also spent significant periods of time in Mining Systems, and in Power Electronics and system engineering for onshore and offshore wind applications around the world.
He has significant experience of customer technical solution development, project execution, site work, commissioning and after sales support, both onshore and offshore, in Africa, Asia, US and Europe. Nick has also held significant technical leadership roles in volume power electronics manufacturing and global software production.
Nick has an Honours degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, sits on the Lloyds Register Technical Committee for Naval and Offshore, and is a Fellow of the Institute of Engineering & Technology
Ashleigh is a passionate marine biologist and environmental advocate. She is educated formally with a BSc. (Hons) Biology and MRes Marine Mammal Genetics from the University of Chester, UK. She conducted research utilising stranding data to compile population genetics of long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) across the UK. She has been fortunate enough to work in the energy, NGO and tourism sectors, working offshore in various roles. Ashleigh is passionate about onboarding environmental advocates and has developed and delivered webinars, conferences and, training courses at all levels. She now works as a consultant and her main areas of expertise are marine mammal ecology, policy and legislation, impact assessments and acoustics. Ashleigh is a commercially-minded research-driven individual and would like to bring her experience to the Marine Mammal Observer Association (MMOA) executive committee to create a network of empowered Marine Mammal Observers (MMOs) and professionals internationally.