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
I am a Graduate Mechanical Engineer with a focus on Naval Architecture. I thrive with hands-on projects driven by my enthusiasm for design, emerging technologies and making a positive difference. I have found a field I genuinely enjoy, where I can contribute to a more innovative and collaborative future. I divide my time between various technical pursuits as well as project management and business development. In November 2024, I assumed the role of Chair for FutureNEST after serving as the business manager for two years. My enthusiasm for FutureNEST is immense; our remarkable growth over the past three years has been inspiring, and I am incredibly grateful for my wonderful team.
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.
Matt Weller
Media and Communications Manager, FutureNEST
Junior Complex Systems Engineer, BMT
I studied Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Loughborough University. I have joined FutureNEST as I want to be part of the team providing invaluable opportunities to early career professionals such as myself, while also improving connections with like-minded individuals and industry skills. I am excited to get involved and experience all that FutureNEST has to offer.
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 Business Manager.
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.
Michael Clark
Science and Technology Working Group Rep, FutureNEST
I am a Senior Naval Architect within the Concept Engineering Team at Babcock. My role has provided me with the opportunity to collaborate across the broader naval sector, gaining insight and benefiting from cross-company engagement. This approach aligns closely with the mission of UK NEST, and I joined the board to contribute to its vision—advancing innovation and technology while identifying development opportunities for early-career engineers. I am eager to work alongside the FutureNEST team and look forward to connecting with the wider community
Ed Purkhardt
Scholarship Development Lead
I am a Materials Engineer working at QinetiQ. I am also seconded into Naval Command Headquarters for 1 day a week where I support Force Development. In my role I provide support to the RN and other Maritime partners with all their Materials Engineering needs. Working on; novel, in service, and end of life components and platforms. I first got involved with FutureNEST by attending one of the site visits, namely a tour around a T-Class submarine. I am thrilled to be taking on the new role in FutureNEST as Scholarship Development Lead, where I will get the chance to support our amazing Scholars throughout their academic journey. I can’t wait to see where their future careers are going to take them.
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.