Gina Panayiotou
ESG Manager, West of England P&I
What piece of career advice would you give your younger self if you knew then what you know now?
Believe in yourself. If you are willing to put in the work, then do dream as big as you want and have faith in the process.
What challenges have you faced in your career, and how have you overcome these?
A wise mentor once told me “Competence is a threat” and unfortunately, I have encountered it on several occasions. People will not be supportive and even try to put obstacles in your path once you start moving from their shadow and your potential gets noticed by others. This has been the greatest challenge I have faced, and you overcome it by (a) remaining true to your values, (b) staying focused on where you want to go, and (c) putting in the work and effort to navigate any obstacles that come your way. All it takes is determination and some creativity.
Who would you say was your role model either now, or when you were growing up?
My parents. Their perseverance and resilience is simply remarkable.
What advice would you give to young women who are interested in a career in the maritime industry?
Know your worth, don’t ask for it. It’s a male-dominated industry so I would advise them to never shy away or feel the need to tone down or take up less space. Be you and respect yourself for that, even if it’s scary at first it plays a great role in how others perceive you. Also, the best way to understand and appreciate the industry is to be around a diverse background of people in it. Join associations like WISTA, SPNL, etc., and fully immerse yourself in the maritime community. Not only will you be exposed to great knowledge, but you will also create a network of friends globally.
Dr. Olivia Swift
Senior Programme Manager, Lloyd’s Register Foundation
What piece of career advice would you give your younger self if you knew then what you know now?
Be more confident! Easy to say, I know. I didn’t realise the value of my skills and attributes.
What challenges have you faced in your career, and how have you overcome these?
The obvious one would be raising children (alone) – although I shouldn’t describe parenthood as ‘challenging’ – just combining that with my professional life. Working with and for organisations that trust me to make flexible working, work, helps enormously – and choosing work that I find meaningful automatically removes some of the stress.
Who would you say was your role model either now, or when you were growing up?
I wouldn’t say I have or have had a particular role model – although my background in anthropology does make me a keen observer of people. I’m more of a magpie – I’m inspired by, and try to steal different shiny aspects of a range of people and then cobble them together in my own practice and outlook. It’s always a work in progress!
What advice would you give to young women who are interested in a career in the maritime industry?
Spread the word! We’re going to rely increasingly on the sea for trade, food, energy, and carbon capture – so a career in maritime is a career in securing a sustainable future for all of us, and the range of meaningful jobs on offer will only increase.
Niki d’Hubert
Deputy Managing Director, Navigate PR
What piece of career advice would you give your younger self if you knew then what you know now?
That’s a tough question. I am not one of those people who had a clear career aspiration or plan. My motivation has always been to experience the most I can in life. This has led to what many may view as a very non-linear career and life path. However, that has led to where I am today and the value I (hopefully) add in the workplace. So, my advice is that to add the most value at work or anywhere, you need to be yourself and not a poor copy of someone else, don’t worry about following someone else’s path – concentrate on finding your own.
What challenges have you faced in your career, and how have you overcome these?
The specific challenges I have faced are not what is important to me. The response I have had is what counts and what I am proud of (or not!). When I look at the challenges I have faced so far (I am sure there will be many more to come!), they facilitated the most growth professionally and personally, even though the result may not have been immediate. For example, the most significant challenge recently spurred me to study for an EMBA to rebuild my confidence and explore new avenues. Ultimately, I think the only way to view a challenge is as an opportunity to become better and stronger. It’s the best way to regain your power.
Who would you say was your role model either now, or when you were growing up?
There are two individuals I’d like to highlight – Gillian Smyth and Kirsi Tikka. Both have inspired and supported me in my career. These women are incredible professionals from different skill areas (marketing/communications and engineering). However, their shared attributes of intelligence, deep sector knowledge, passion, integrity, and kindness are why I hold them in such high esteem. They are those, unfortunately too rare, individuals who are genuinely motivated by a drive to make the industry and the people they work with better.
What advice would you give to young women who are interested in a career in the maritime industry?
Stay curious! It is essential to keep learning and to make new connections in this industry. There’s always something new to learn and someone new to meet. One of the greatest aspects of this industry is its internationality. It’s a privilege to have access to, and you should make the most of it and expand your horizons physically, culturally, and intellectually.
