Student wins prestigious national young designer award

Jack Francis, 22, who has just started the final year of his course at Solent, impressed the judges with his innovative and sustainable concept for a family-friendly charter yacht.

The competition, held live at the Southampton International Boat Show, challenges students from across the UK to respond to a demanding industry-led design brief under tight time constraints.

This year, the eight shortlisted participants – including another Solent University student Gaia Aresu - were asked to design a 48–50 metre charter yacht suitable for a couple based in Monaco, operating near the protected Pelagos Sanctuary. Designs had to balance real-world environmental regulations with creativity, innovation, and commercial viability. Competitors were also asked to present a concept for a matching tender and provide ideas that would appeal to the charter market.

The judges were impressed not only by Jack’s polished presentation, but also by the thinking behind it – from his innovative use of sustainable materials to his clever interpretation of the charter yacht brief and compelling storytelling approach.

Commenting on the win, Jack says, “It feels incredible to have won the 2025 Superyacht UK Young Designer Competition. To be recognised by such respected organisations is a real honour. I’m so thankful to British Marine, Superyacht UK, and LA Marine for making this competition possible, and to the judges for their feedback and encouragement. It’s been a hugely rewarding experience that has boosted my confidence and my passion for design.”

From a young age, Jack spent much of his time on the water and has always been fascinated by design, so the course at Solent felt like the perfect way to combine both his passions. He says, “Yachts combine engineering, art, and innovation into something both functional and beautiful. They represent a challenge that pushes creativity to its limits. I want to be part of an industry where imagination meets cutting edge technology, and where every design has the potential to inspire.”

What Jack enjoys most about his studies at Solent is the balance between creativity and technical challenge, as well as the support from his lecturers and the industry opportunities that the course provides. "I’ve been encouraged to push bold ideas while also grounding them in practical, achievable design,” he says. “The support from my lecturers has been invaluable, and their passion has been a big part of my success, and the opportunities to connect with industry professionals make the learning experience even more inspiring.”

The competition featured undergraduate and master’s students from across the UK. Over the course of a day and a half, they worked live in front of show visitors in the New Wave Hall, before presenting to a panel of high-profile judges from across the marine design industry.

Judge Douglas Hynd from RWD said, “The Superyacht UK Young Designer Competition continues to shine a spotlight on the next generation of talent, and it’s exciting to imagine the impact these young designers will have on the future of our industry.”

Part of the award is a one-month internship with Sunseeker, which Jack is incredibly excited about. He says, “It will be a fantastic opportunity to gain first-hand experience with one of the world’s leading yacht builders and further develop my skills. After graduating I hope to establish myself within the industry, designing yachts that are not only visually striking but also sustainable, and this experience will be invaluable.”

Giles Barkley, Course Leader for Yacht Engineering at Solent University says, “We’re incredibly proud of Jack’s achievement in winning this prestigious competition. His success is a testament to his talent and dedication. It also highlights the importance we place at Solent on connecting our students with real-world industry opportunities. These experiences are an important part of helping our students grow in confidence, apply their skills in meaningful ways, and showcase their creativity and technical ability to employers on a national stage.”

The annual Superyacht UK Young Designer Competition is sponsored by LA Marine and supported by key industry partners including Princess Yachts, Sunseeker, Cockwells, Marina Projects, Winch Design, RWD, and Olesinski.