The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) announced its next two presidents. Offshore renewable energy expert Professor Deborah Greaves of the University of Oxford will take office in April, followed in 2027 by Claudene Sharp Patel, Global Technical Director at Lloyd’s Register. The appointments mark the first time women have held successive presidencies at the Institute.
As IMarEST Presidents, both will have the opportunity to help shape and unite the marine industry by championing professional standards, amplifying the IMarEST’s technical voice, and ensuring diverse marine professionals worldwide are able to make an impact through the Institute’s work.
Professor Greaves is internationally recognized for her pioneering research into hydrodynamics, helping to improve the resilience of offshore wind farms. She recently joined the Department of Engineering Science at the University of Oxford, where she will focus her research activities on bringing together multi-disciplinary teams to accelerate innovation in marine renewables for the benefit of society.
Alongside her research, Professor Greaves will continue her work as Director of the SuperGen Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Hub, a £16.5 million project fund, supporting knowledge exchange between academia and industry.
Deborah Greaves has big plans for her IMarEST Presidency, as she explained: “I aim to use my presidency to help strengthen the connections of early career researchers and students with the IMarEST, enhance strategies for diversity, equity, and inclusion, and grow multidisciplinary research and engagement with skills development for net zero, the blue economy, and biodiversity challenges.”
Claudene Sharp-Patel’s career has been groundbreaking from the outset. A passionate advocate for women in maritime, she became the first woman in the world to earn a chief engineer’s combined motor and steam qualification. Since then, Claudene’s distinguished career has taken her across the world of shipping, where she has been an influential voice in a period of rapid transformation.
As Global Technical Director at Lloyd’s Register, Claudene shapes strategy and technical standards worldwide, spanning offshore installations, terminals, marine operations, rules and regulations, and global assurance. She drives safe, innovative solutions in decarbonization, digitalization, and safety assurance within the regulatory framework and ship construction, always championing the human element at the heart of maritime systems, ensuring that people remain central to technological and regulatory advancement and sustainability.
Claudene says: “Stepping into this role is a huge honor for me. My hope is to strengthen the Institute’s voice while championing the people whose expertise drives progress across our sector. I’m committed to ensuring marine professionals everywhere feel empowered to shape a safer, more sustainable, and forward-looking industry. Together, we can build the momentum needed to meet the challenges ahead with confidence and unity.
“Additionally, I would hope that with Lloyd’s Register Group and Lloyd’s Register Foundation, we can explore ways to make it safer and more sustainable for women in the maritime industry, at sea, offshore, and ashore in different roles. My aspiration would be to create and drive safe work standards in the maritime industry, benefiting all maritime persons based on evidence gathering, and coalition of like-minded industry partners to make changes we have struggled to do so for many generations.”
Professor Greaves will take office as president at this year’s AGM, delivering an address at the IMarEST’s prestigious Annual Dinner and hosting a presidential lecture during the same week. Claudene Sharp-Patel will follow suit in 2027.
Chris Goldsworthy, chief executive of the IMarEST, said: “I’m very excited to have the opportunity to work closely with Deborah and Claudene. Both are true powerhouses of the marine sector who will bring a wealth of experience at a time when our global community is using its trusted voice to help shape a united, safe, and sustainable future for the marine industry.”
The 2026–27 presidential team will be made up of President Professor Greaves, Immediate Past President Professor Stephen De Mora, and President Elect Claudene Sharp-Patel. Together, they will lead the Institute and represent the IMarEST on the global stage.
