As part of our 30 Under 30 initiative, we’re celebrating the next generation of leaders shaping the future of the maritime industry. Next up is Ella Winstanley, Marketing Assistant, and a standout emerging talent bringing creativity, adaptability, and modern marketing leadership to the marine insurance sector.

While Ella’s role may officially be titled Marketing Assistant, the reality of her contribution extends far beyond that. As the sole member of the marketing department within a large international insurance business, she is responsible for managing a wide range of marketing activities, from overseeing social media and website management to coordinating global events, designing merchandise, managing publications, and working with journalists, agencies, and stakeholders around the world. Operating within a role that demands constant adaptability, strong communication, and exceptional project management, Ella has quickly become a driving force behind the company’s growing brand presence.

Over the past 12 months, Ella has played a significant role in transforming the organisation’s marketing function. Having led a full company brand refresh within her first year, she has since helped drive a period of substantial growth for the business, supporting some of the company’s strongest renewal results to date. Alongside day-to-day marketing responsibilities, she has launched new communication initiatives including a bi-monthly newsletter, supported the development of new publication series, and produced specialist marketing materials that have directly contributed to winning new business.

Ella has also taken full ownership of the organisation’s global event activity, independently organising more than seven international events over the past 16 months, including events in entirely new markets for the business. One standout success came during the company’s first international board meeting in Singapore, where she organised a cocktail reception attended by more than 200 guests despite competing with several other major maritime events taking place that same evening. Her attention to detail, creativity, and execution helped deliver an event that left a lasting impression on attendees.

What sets Ella apart is her willingness to embrace challenge. Joining the business straight from university at just 21 years old and stepping into a newly created department with no existing structure could have been overwhelming, but instead she approached it as an opportunity to build something from the ground up. From managing creative agencies and launching a new website to navigating international projects across multiple time zones and cultures, she has consistently demonstrated confidence, initiative, and an impressive ability to learn quickly.

Beyond her core responsibilities, Ella has also helped expand the company’s charitable and community initiatives, supporting partnerships with organisations such as Movember and Great Ormond Street Hospital, reflecting both her creativity and commitment to broader impact beyond commercial success.

Ella’s journey so far is a reflection of resilience, ambition, and a willingness to take ownership early. In a role requiring both creativity and commercial awareness, she has already demonstrated the confidence and capability of a far more experienced marketing professional, making her one of the standout young talents helping modernise the future of maritime communications.

Take a look at our full 30 here.