October 2025
I am delighted to launch the first Industry Insights feature. For those of you I haven’t yet met, my name is Lauren Saltonstall, and I lead the Industry & Careers department here at UKSA. My role is centred around building relationships across the maritime sector, supporting our students and graduates into employment, and ensuring our alumni feel part of a lifelong community. Whether you’re fresh out of training or years into your career, my aim is to keep you connected to opportunities, industry trends, and the support you may need along the way.
A growing area of my work is welfare and holistic support for crew. In recent months, we’ve seen a noticeable rise in conversations around mental health, resilience, and social pressures within the superyacht and wider maritime industries. Topics such as loneliness onboard, eating disorders, workplace culture, and the importance of creating healthy onboard environments are coming up more than ever. It’s encouraging to see both individuals and employers starting to take these issues seriously, and UKSA is proud to be part of that change through outreach events, onboard yacht training, and one-to-one support for our alumni in key yachting hubs.
Looking ahead, we have some exciting initiatives on the horizon. Following the success of our April collaboration at Yacht Club de Monaco, with Edmiston and La Belle Classe Academy, we are planning further welfare and career support events over the next few months. This autumn, our team will return to the Mediterranean to deliver outreach in Antibes and Palma, and I will also be at Antigua Yacht Show during December, hosting an informative hour on ‘Stronger Crews, Safer Yachts: Practical Mental Health Training for the Future of Yachting’. These events give you the chance to reconnect, share experiences, and inspire the next generation, whilst also having the opportunity to meet with our team and experts in the field.
This newsletter is one more way of staying in touch with you, our alumni. This Industry Insights section of our newsletter will showcase leaders across the industry, giving you exclusive access to their insights and updates.
Together, we can continue to grow a strong, supportive alumni network that extends well beyond the classroom or crew mess.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the alumni focus group who have helped shape our community so far, ensuring we can best support and add value for you. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please do reach out to one of the team. Together, we can continue to grow a strong, supportive alumni network that extends well beyond the classroom or crew mess.
