Future Leaders Forum 2024

Nick Chubb

Founder, Thetius

No bio provided

Heidi Heseltine

Founder, Diversity Study Group, CEO, Halcyon Recruitment Ltd

Heidi Heseltine specialises in diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging for the global maritime sector. With over 30 years experience in the maritime and shipping industry, gained in commercial, operational and leadership roles, Heidi founded the Diversity Study Group in 2018 to support the industry’s need to better retain and attract talent. This is addressed through industry benchmarking, collaboration and DEI advisory and consulting services in maritime, for those ashore and at sea.

Heidi has led the Diversity Study Group in supporting critical industry initiatives such as the All Aboard Alliance of which Diversity Study Group is a Founding Knowledge Partner and is an active supporter of many of the maritime industry’s seafarer charities. She also contributes as advisor and judge to a variety of prestigious industry DEI initiatives, and was honoured to win Seatrade Maritime’s Diversity in Maritime 2023 Award.

Ben Darnton

Director, Halcyon Recruitment

Ben has specialised in maritime and energy recruitment since the year 2000, from a Trainee Recruitment Consultant through to shareholding Managing Director with a major maritime, energy and oil and gas recruiter. Ben has a wealth of experience in all areas of maritime recruitment, and a strong belief in consultative and long-term relationship orientated solutions.

One of few people in the industry who holds a broad understanding of all of the disciplines within maritime and energy business’; Ben has been able to establish global recruitment partnerships which have streamlined companywide talent acquisition for multi-national organisations and start-ups alike.

Ben’s expertise encompasses delivery of executive search consultancy through to project management of multi-vacancy campaigns with companies including marine consultancies, classification societies, oil majors and ship owners, operators and managers.

Conor Savage AMIMarEST

ESG Manager, Sainsbury’s bank

Conor is an ESG Programme Manager with Sainsbury's, where he is responsible for leading the development and delivery of Sainsbury's Bank's ESG strategy. Before this he was a Climate Reporting Manager with NatWest Group, where he provided advice and technical expertise on climate, nature, and other sustainability-related policy. He joined the Group in 2019, as a Change & Business Solutions Graduate with Ulster Bank. Prior to this he studied Marine Biology at Bangor University, completing both a BSc and MSc. Whilst there, he specialised in the effects of Arctic sea ice retreat on sea ice-reliant and sea ice-associated species, in particular walruses.”

Claudene Sharp-Patel CMarTech FIMarEST

Global Technical Director, Marine and Offshore, Lloyds Register

Claudene joined the marine industry over 30 years ago, having wide experience in maritime, shipping, salvage/MCI, upstream oil and Gas, and wind installation/MWS, Terminal operations, assurance and Oil and Gas/renewable industries in various roles and senior management positions. Claudene started her career as a sea-going Marine Engineering with BHP on dry-bulk carriers, ROROs, Container Vessels and Chemical tankers, transferring onto Oil and LNG vessels with Shell UK and primarily with BP Shipping. However, never one to stop during leave periods continued building experience on General cargo vessels and passenger ships.  Although holding a Bachelor of Technology (Marine Engineering) and Combined Chief Engineer (Motor and Steam), Claudene continued studying obtaining an MBA in Maritime Law and Logistics Management. 

Although Claudene’s background is technical, her training in her shore career in Shipping companies and Oil companies support the understanding of shipping, terminal operations/activities and marine activities, has assisted seeing these operations holistically and impactfully.  Claudene’s more recent roles as Global Technical Director Lloyd’s Register, and Shell Australia Prelude (Prelude Marine Terminal Coordinator) further adds to her understanding of current Marine and Offshore roles, activities and operations.  Claudene’s current role as Global Technical Director for Lloyds Register allows an input in the strategy and technical requirements for the industry both legislated or required through IMO/IACS and also supporting customers and the industry find safe technical solutions within Decarbonisation, Digitalisation, Marine safety assurance and Offshore Safety Assurance.

Claudene is a Fellow of IMarEST and served for 6 years as Vice President and culminating as Vice Chair of Technical Leadership Board of IMarEST.  Claudene was previously a registered consultant to IMO, and has been continuously active within OCIMF in several groups/working groups including Representative at GPC, Vice Chairman of OCIMF Technical Group, and member of SIRE Focus Group.  These experiences bringing a wide understanding of incidents, consequences, legislation, regulations and implementation.

Amanda Peach

Career Coach, STEM Returners

Amanda Peach is the Programme Career Coach.  Her role is to support returners with interview preparation and whilst on their programme, looking at career journey, qualifications and supporting people on the STEM Mentoring Programme.

Amanda’s previous career in the Royal Navy led to a career change after being medically discharged.  Once retrained as a Careers Adviser, supported people in their career journeys.  Provided careers advice to the Armed Forces for 12 years including through redundancy and medical discharge to training employability workshops and running the Troops to Teachers Programme with Brighton University and DfE.

Jenny Kovacs

Visibility Specialist,

Jenny Kovacs (She | Her) is known as The Queen of Being Seen. 

As an award winning mentor, Jenny has appeared on the BBC throughout the UK speaking on the topic of professional visibility and careers.  

Creator of the Visibility V.I.B.E.S. System®️, these five key pillars show you current ways to be visible, and how to raise your professional profile. Jenny’s trainings and talks have spanned well known corporations, brands, companies and have been delivered to 1000’s of clients internationally, in person and online and cover a mixture of mindset, insights and practical tools to having you and your work seen with credibility, without feeling pushy or too much!