Developing Careers and Driving Innovation through Collaboration
FutureNEST is a community of apprentices, graduates and young professionals from across the UKNEST member organisations. It works as a collaborative organisation focussed on driving personal and professional development opportunities for early career professionals in the Naval and Maritime Sectors. Working alongside the UKNEST Working Groups (Technology and People) FutureNEST aims to provide insight, innovation and ingenuity to help address their objectives as well as the aims of the wider UKNEST organisation.
FutureNEST members are encouraged to attend events across the sector including workshops, site visits, conferences and more, engaging with the wider community and extending networks. FutureNEST organises workshops at member organisations’ sites which can be utilised to produce tangible outputs such as reviews, scientific papers and journal articles all under the banner of an Industry Enterprise approach through UKNEST.
FutureNEST provides exposure and experience to early career professionals and as such we encourage involvement during the first 5 years of their careers in the Naval sector to gain the most benefit. This gives early career professionals an excellent opportunity to widen their networks and further their experiences and skill sets though collaboration with others, in similar positions, in other organisations. FutureNEST is self-governed by a group of volunteers, reporting to the UKNEST Programme Board, which is an opportunity extended out to all members if they wish to get involved.
You get out what you put in! Active FutureNEST members often attend 3-4 activities a year, this equates to around 5-10 days of commitment. All events are optional and can be adapted around work schedules.
Benefits for you, The FutureNEST Member
- Exposure to industry level thinking and people
- Opportunities to get involved with thought provoking event such as the national shipbuilding strategy
- “Think Tank” style Workshopping of innovative topics with industry experts
- Experience representing an organisation in a safe environment
- Personal Development hours than can contribute to Professional Registration
- Collaboration with and exposure to other Early Career Professionals from all parts of Industry, Government and Academia
- Capability to have your say in the future of your industry
Benefits for you, The UKNEST Member Organisation
- Demonstrate your drive to develop the futures of our Early Career Professionals
- Exhibit support to not only UKNEST, but to the whole industry, its objectives, goals, and ambitions
- Supported and funded educational lectures, workshops and events for your employees
- Exposure for your Employees to the wider industry with great opportunities for collaboration and networking
- Exposure for your organisation to others through your early career professionals
- A better professional through experiences hard to come by internally
Meet the FutureNest Team...
Neve Parker
Chair, FutureNEST
Mechanical Engineering Degree Apprentice, QinetiQ.
I am a Mechanical Engineering Degree Apprentice that loves to get stuck in and work hands on. With my passion for design, future technologies and making a difference I have found myself working in a field that I really enjoy and feel like I am contributing to a better, more innovative and collaborate future. I became the Chair for FutureNEST in November 2024.
Marc Beacom
Deputy Chair, FutureNEST
I am Senior Engineer in the Naval Assurance Team at Frazer-Nash Consultancy, joining in January 2023. Previously, I studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Birmingham and wanted to try something interesting and different, so I decided to join the Naval Sector. I got involved in FutureNEST by attending a wargaming conference to support the Royal Navy in January 2024. I’ve looked on at all the exciting events and innovative ideas that FutureNEST brings to bear. In a bid to learn more, I applied to be Deputy Chair and started the role in December 2024.
CPO Steven Reilly
Royal Navy FutureNEST Representative
Chief Petty Officer, Royal Navy
Steve is an experienced weapons engineering submariner with a specialisation in communications and electronics warfare, having spent 23 years in the RN. Steve is currently helping to run and develop the HMNB Clyde Innovation Cell, which aims to accelerate the uptake of new technology to support the Submarine Enterprise. In addition to this Steve is a co-founder and the first chairperson of the Defence Innovation Champions Network, which is a defence network aimed at empowering innovation efforts across the forces.
Henry Winmill
Media and Communications Manager, FutureNEST
Combat Systems Engineer, BMT Ltd.
I am a Combat Systems Engineer at BMT and I previously studied Aerospace Engineering at Swansea University. I'm passionate about defence technology, teamwork, and adventure. I was introduced to FutureNEST within the first couple of months of joining BMT and was fascinated by the nature of the community and the innovative experiences it has to offer. Aiming to get stuck in I applied for the Media and Comms Manager role and was fortunate to be appointed the position in February 2023. I'm looking forward to meeting like-minded people, exploring new opportunities, and supporting the FutureNEST community.
Lizzie Noble
Business Manager, FutureNEST
Technical Engineering Graduate, SDA.
I am training as a Naval Architect on the SDA Technical Engineering Graduate scheme. I was introduced to FutureNEST for the career and networking opportunities to further support my knowledge and involvement in the future of defence, naval design, and technology, with likeminded people outside of my organisation. I am excited to see what I can offer the FutureNEST community in my position as Science and Technology Working Group Rep.
Matt Milnes
People and Skills Working Group Rep
I am a Mechanical Engineer working for the SDA. I joined FutureNEST whilst on the SDA technical Graduate scheme for the networking opportunities and to engage with the wider naval defence enterprise. My first experience with FutureNEST was the Project Zeus workshop which was presented at DSEI 2023. This project was a great success and really fun. So, I decided to take a more active role in FutureNEST and joined the shadow board as the People and Skills Working Group Rep. I can't wait to find out what more exciting moments I will experience through FutureNEST.
Applications open
Science and Technology Working Group Rep, FutureNEST
BECOMING A FUTURENEST MEMBER
Membership of FutureNEST is open to Early Career Professionals from MEMBER ORGANISATIONS only. The logos of all current member organisations, with links to their corporate websites, can be found at the bottom of the Membership page. Individuals can enquire about membership by speaking to their organisation’s UKNEST Representative or by using the form opposite.