THE UK’s young marine engineers of the future will gain invaluable insights at a prestigious Royal Navy event featuring some of the industry’s leading lights later this week.
UK Docks is sponsoring a table of young engineers at the Marine Engineering General Service Branch Dinner (MEGS) held at the Royal Naval base HMS Sultan in Gosport in Hampshire this Thursday.
Kevin Daffey of Rolls-Royce, (pictured), who heads a team of 230 engineers, is the guest speaker but the young engineers will also benefit from the chance to network with public figures such as Rear Admiral Steve McCarthy, Commodore Steve Large OBE and senior Royal Navy engineering officers.
This is the sixth annual MEGS dinner and will be enjoyed by 178 personnel from the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary Marine Engineers, who will be wishing well to those who are leaving and welcoming those new to the MEGS Branch.
The formal Naval dinner is an ‘in-house’ event open to serving MEGS Officers, warrant officers and Shadow Board members of all ranks as well as including space for veterans.
The evening is intended to encourage the sharing of ideas and networking across the Marine Engineer General Service (MEGS) branch.
UK Docks MD, Jonathan Wilson, said: “We are delighted to sponsor a table of young marine engineers because we understand how important it is that emerging talent is encouraged and that they see a clear path in ways of progressing their careers.
“Being introduced to new ideas and information and making contacts, especially with leaders in marine engineering, can only be helpful to them
“The UK Docks management team will also be there on the night to represent the company and is we’re also looking forward to an important event on the marine engineering calendar.”
Guest speaker Kevin Daffey FREng, is a former President of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology (IMarEST), representing 19,000 marine engineers and scientists.
Kevin Daffey of Rolls Royce, MEGS guest speaker
He is responsible for Rolls-Royce Solutions Governmental Engineering and NautIQ Solutions which delivers marine and naval, power, propulsion, automation, electrical and autonomous systems for both commercial and Naval marine sectors.
A seasoned leader with over two decades of experience in the marine industry, fostering innovation and efficiency, he has also worked extensively with the Ministry of Defence.
He has presented to the UN International Maritime Organization (IMO) and UK Parliamentary Committees on Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships, contributing significantly to discussions in the maritime and engineering spheres.
In 2022, Kevin was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering for his major contributions in electric propulsion, dynamic positioning, artificial intelligence and electrical safety and his talk is eagerly anticipated.
Rear Admiral Steve McCarthy, MSc CEng CMarEng MAPM FIMarEST is Director Ships Operations and Capability Integration - UK Defence Equipment and Support Chief Naval Engineer Officer of the Royal Navy.
Rear Admiral Steve McCarthy
He took up his current role in UK Defence Equipment and Support in 2023 and is responsible for the Portfolio Management of through-life availability and capability integration of Royal Navy Ships, Royal Fleet Auxiliary Ships and UK Ministry of Defence Boats.
He was appointed Chief Naval Engineer Officer in 2023, with the responsibility to implement the Naval Engineering Strategy and to champion the profession’s contribution to the Royal Navy’s operational success.
Commodore Stephen Large was awarded the OBE in 2023 for his leadership in delivering notable improvements in environmental protection and the safety management and governance of Royal Navy ships.
Commodore Large
He was promoted to Commodore in July last year and assigned Head of Naval Ship Support, accountable for the delivery of in-service support of all Royal Navy warships and Royal Fleet Auxiliaries - a portfolio valued at £700m a year.