As part of our 30 Under 30 initiative, we’re celebrating the next generation of leaders who are shaping the future of the maritime industry. First in our spotlight is George Thompson, naval architect and founder of GT Wings, whose pioneering work in wind‑propulsion technology is helping make commercial shipping greener and more sustainable.
George Thompson is not just another founder in the maritime space, he represents a new generation of engineers who are rethinking how shipping can work in a decarbonising world. As a naval architect and the driving force behind GT Wings, George has taken a concept that many have long viewed as impractical at scale – wind propulsion – and turned it into a serious, commercially viable solution.
What makes George particularly impressive is the pace and confidence with which he has moved from idea to reality. Drawing on his experience in high-performance engineering with the British America’s Cup team, he has applied a mindset more commonly seen in elite sport to one of the world’s most traditional industries. The result is AirWing™, a compact, rigid sail system designed not as a nod to the past, but as a sophisticated, high-impact technology for the future of shipping.
In just a few years, George has built GT Wings from the ground up, securing significant funding and industry backing along the way. More notably, he has managed to instil confidence in a sector known for its caution, convincing investors, partners, and shipowners that wind can play a meaningful role in reducing emissions today, not decades from now.
A defining moment in this journey has been the installation of a full-scale AirWing™ on Carisbrooke Shipping’s Vectis Progress. Seeing his technology move from design to deployment at sea is a milestone many founders spend far longer trying to reach. For George, it is just the beginning. The system—often described as a “Jet Sail”, is now undergoing trials, signalling a tangible shift from concept to credible solution.
What sets George apart is not just technical ability, but his clarity of purpose. He is tackling one of the most complex challenges in global trade, how to reduce emissions in commercial shipping—by focusing on solutions that are both innovative and practical.
At a relatively early stage in his career, George has already demonstrated the kind of leadership and impact that many strive towards over decades. He is not only contributing to the industry’s future—he is actively shaping it. Expect to see and hear a lot more of George.
Take a look at our full 30 here.
As an amusing aside we heard from George after he received the news to be told by him he is 34 – on the basis many of his achievements were achieved before he reached the ripe old age of 30, we decided to leave things unchanged and believe his story is still an inspiring one.