RINA Annual Dinner 2025
The RINA Annual Dinner is a flagship event in the Institution’s calendar, bringing together members and industry leaders from across the global maritime sector. Hosted at the stunning De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in Covent Garden, London, the evening offers a unique opportunity for networking, celebration, and inspiration.
We are delighted to welcome Commander Mike Forrester MBE, Royal Navy as our Principal Guest and Speaker! Having operated in some of the world’s toughest environments—from submarines to the Atlantic—Mike brings a unique perspective on resilience, teamwork, and high-performance operations.
He will share exclusive insights from the 2023 ‘World’s Toughest Row’, where he and his team completed an unsupported Atlantic crossing in a 10-metre boat, as well as the latest success of the HMS Oardacious Valkyries, an all-female Royal Navy team who completed their own crossing in January 2025. From the challenges of survival at sea to the innovation and mindset that led these teams to success, his talk will be a must-see for anyone navigating complex challenges – whether in maritime or beyond. Watch the highlights from the World’s Toughest Row – Atlantic 2023 here and find more details on HMS Oardacious here.
In 2024, the RINA Annual Dinner welcomed over 370 professionals from 130+ companies. Want a preview of what’s in store? Watch the 2024 highlights here. Don’t miss out—secure your tickets now and join us for an evening of networking, inspiration, and celebration!
The dress code: Dinner Jacket and Decorations (Black Tie)
Registration Fees
Book a Corporate Table and get a 10% Discount!
| Early Rate* (Before 3 February 2025) | Regular Rate* (From 3 February 2025) | RINA Corporate Partner Rate* | Concession (Recent Graduates / Masters and PhD Students / Retired)* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual Ticket | £165 + VAT | £195 + VAT | £165+ VAT | £100 + VAT |
| Corporate Table (10) | £1,485+ VAT | £1,755 + VAT | £1,485 + VAT | N/A |
| Corporate Table (12) | £1,782+ VAT | £2,106 + VAT | £1,782 + VAT | N/A |
* Limited Ticket Availability. The Royal Institution of Naval Architects reserves the right to end the registration early. Pre-dinner reception drinks and 3-course dinner are included in the ticket price.
Please note that RINA Student Members can attend the event free of charge but the ticket availability is very limited. If you would like to become a RINA Student Member and register for the event, please contact RINA Events Team at events@rina.org.uk
Speakers
Commander Mike Forrester MBE, Royal Navy
Mike joined the Royal Navy in 2006 as a Marine Engineer Submariner and has served for 18 years so far. Completing his new entrant, engineering, and nuclear training, he then served on the attack submarines HMS Turbulent, HMS Torbay, and HMS Trenchant before HMS Ambush for his final onboard assignment. In this final seagoing role, Mike was the Marine Engineer Officer, the most senior engineer onboard, accountable for all propulsion, power generation, and domestic systems. Mike has also completed an operational tour in Afghanistan and various inboard roles supporting those who now serve on the frontline.
In 2023, Mike undertook the ‘World’s Toughest Row’, an unsupported crossing of the Atlantic Ocean in a 10-metre rowing boat with four submariner colleagues as part of ‘HMS Oardacious’. Mike embarked on this undertaking for his comrades (because they asked him to), for charity (raising awareness for submariner mental health), and for the personal physical and mental challenge (to see if he could). The team not only won the race in a competitive field that started with 100 rowers in 40 boats, but they flourished in a highly effective team founded on psychological safety—something key to not just the positional success but to ‘finishing well’ as a team.
Mike holds a MEng in Mechanical and Materials Engineering from the University of Strathclyde, he is Chartered Engineer and Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and he was awarded an MBE for services to the Royal Navy in 2022.
© Atlantic Campaigns
Five Royal Navy Submariners, HMS OARDACIOUS, are the ‘Overall Winners’ of the World’s Toughest Row 2023 in a time of 35 days, 4 hours and 30 minutes.
Host
Tom Sharpe OBE
Tom Sharpe is a retired Navy Commander, seasoned communications consultant, media commentator and leader.
He co-owns a strategic communications consultancy called Special Project Partners, with offices in London and Riyadh. Clients include government departments, quasi-state entities and private sector companies of all sizes, both in the UK and abroad.
As a defence commentator, he writes twice weekly for The Telegraph and has made appearances on BBC Newsnight, LBC, Forces News, RUSI panels and podcasts at Chatham House and The Telegraph amongst others.
He is a leadership instructor for the Nautical Institute and presents and speaks about leadership to junior soldiers, Naval Officers, the NHS, master mariners, senior banking executives and everything in between.
Prior to all this, Sharpe served for over 25 years in the Royal Navy, the last five of which were spent in military plans and communications. His final appointment was as the MoD’s Naval spokesman.
The previous years were spent at sea in a variety of warships. He commanded four, including the UK’s Ice Patrol Vessel, for which he was appointed OBE for his role in saving her during a flood. His frigate command saw him act as anti-submarine commander for two US carrier battle groups in the Persian Gulf and, closer to home, protecting the UK’s nuclear deterrent.
Sharpe has a BA(Hons) in Defence Studies and a MA in International Relations from King’s College, London. He is a Haberdasher Liveryman and has applied to become a Younger Brother at Trinity House.
Registration
Cancellations received less than two weeks before the event cannot be accepted and are subject to the full event fee. Delegates may be substituted; however, this must be sent in writing and confirmed with the RINA Events Team. It may be necessary for reasons beyond our control to alter the content and timing of the programme. In the unlikely event that RINA cancels the event for any reason, our liability is limited to the return of the registration fee.
Personal Data
Please note that personal data, such as name and company, will be collected and provided in the delegate list format to the event attendees. No contact details will be included in the delegate list. If you would like to not be included in the list for any reason, please inform the RINA Events Team at events@rina.org.uk
Filming/Photography
Please note that filming/photography will be taking place at this event for promotional and archival purposes. The photographs and recordings made are likely to appear on our website and social media. If you would prefer not to be photographed please let the Marketing team know at marketing@rina.org.uk.
Sponsorship Opportunities
RINA events provide the perfect opportunity for effective and highly targeted marketing. Sponsorship and exhibition opportunities exist for all of our events. For more information please click here.
If you have any questions regarding the event, please get in touch with the RINA Events team at events@rina.org.uk
Registration
Please note:
Your membership number must be entered when choosing a membership rate, otherwise your order will be subject to cancellation.
