Women In Boatbuilding is a thriving community created to support and inspire women working in boatbuilding and related marine trades. 

Meet Our Directors

Belinda Joslin (left) Obioma Oji (right)

Belinda - Founder 
Hi,
I started Women in Boat Building when I was working as a finisher at Spirit Yachts and wondered why there were so few women working in boatyards. Pre-children my career was in film partnership marketing and PR for Disney.

I’ve always been happiest in and around boats, on and off the water – and believe that everyone who wants to should have the opportunity to work in this industry…without harassment, being treated fairly and respectfully.

​It’s a huge privilege running the WiBB CIC, sharing the stories of so many incredible women, lifting them up, creating opportunities, and connecting the community.  When I’m not in a boat or running WiBB, I’ll be juggling family fun, catching up with friends or starting yet another new crafting hobby.
​Obioma Oji - Director 

I am known as “Obi”, and I am a Director for the community interest company, Women in Boat Building, where I help to promote and connect women working hands-on in the marine trades. I embody an "always learning" approach, which led me to pivot into the marine industry from the architectural, research and retail environments.
 
I am also the Co-founder and Design Director at BlueTree Boat Builders, leading R&D, production, and our Project Harmony sustainability initiative. This latest venture followed a career break during which I completed the boat building course at the Boat Building Academy.
 
My extensive background includes degrees in Ceramic Design and Interior Design, and I earned a Doctorate that investigated the construction of interior comfort. I didn’t know it at the time, but this research led to my future understanding that the experiences surrounding wooden boats satisfy innate human needs. I can go on…
 
I spent a decade working in Interior Architectural Design and Lectured at Edinburgh Uni, then shifted to a more hands-on Interior Design role at IKEA, focusing on sustainability issues.
 
Outside of The Yard, I have a real love for re-designing and building chairs—I have too many chairs—and I also enjoy archery.
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Abbey Moneleux

I've been a boatbuilder my entire adult life and after decades of training and hard work I now run my own boat yard in Redham, Norfolk specialising in the restoration of classic wooden boats and new builds.

I have faced many challenges in my career and despite feeling like quitting on several occasions, not due to the hard work but because of the actions and behaviour of men in the industry I persevered and now get to live and breathe the industry in a yard I have built from the ground up.
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It was a huge privilege to be asked to become a director of WIBB and I joined the team with the sole intention of trying to ensure it was never as hard as it was for me for the next generation of boat builders coming into this industry. We now have a 50/50 gender split at my boatyard and that is a credit to WIBB and all of the directors who have helped pave the way for women in the industry. 

Faye Thorley
Faye Thorley is joining the team, bringing her expertise as a research consultant on maritime heritage projects and fundraising to the community network that works to support women working hands-on in boat building and related marine trades.

Faye is a maritime project manager, researcher, lecturer, and hands-on craftsperson, with a passion for traditional boatbuilding and the preservation of historic vessels.
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As well as being a Director of maritime heritage and sail cargo organisation Raybel Charters, and board member of the international Fair Winds Collective, Faye also has considerable experience as a research consultant on maritime heritage projects working with organisations including National Historic Ships UK and the National Trust.

Faye is soon relocating to Norway​

Our Advisory Board

Whether you are a master shipwright, a first-year apprentice or simply curious about picking up a chisel, there is a place for you here. The Women in Boat Building community spans the globe, and we make it easy to stay connected no matter where your yard is located.​

Kaye Coyne – Marine Engineer

My name is Kaye, and I am a Marine Engineer with over 10 years of experience in the marine industry.
I studied Marine Engineering, including design, systems, and maintenance, in Southampton before returning inland to the River Thames, where I specialised in the traditional restoration of classic boats such as slipper launches, day launches, and Riva.
​I was first mentored by my father, a highly accomplished Marine Engineer in his own right, before going on to work with Peter Freebody & Co. I now operate as a self-employed freelance Marine Engineer covering all aspects of Marine Engineering both Modern and Classical.  Over the years, I have thoroughly enjoyed working along the Thames, where every project brings something new and engaging. Even now, I continue to learn and adapt as marine technology evolves.
Outside of work, I enjoy riding my motorbike, restoring classic cars, and spending time gardening.

Sue Pennison – Traditional Rigging and Ropework

As a lifelong sailor I have had the opportunity to sail and race on board a huge range of traditional and modern boats. I was always fascinated by the rope and the rigging and the traditional hand skills that created it.  Rigging our own home built boat resulted in developing the rigging for the Dublin Bay 21 fleet and from that additional rigging work on traditional vessels.

At the same time, I began to make rope for bespoke knotted items and develop my ropework skills, becoming the Chair of the Trustees of the International Guild of Knot Tyers and producing unique functional items rooted in the traditions of sailors’ ropework.
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Holly Latham – Traditional Boatbuilder and Career’s Rep

My career pathway started in Marine Biology, primarily due to a school careers perspective that precluded any hands-on Apprenticeship pathways, despite a love of design and technology, and an early introduction to power tools and engineering.
As a marine biologist working in fisheries I spent a fair amount of time at sea on fishing and research vessels; however a combination of purchasing a wooden boat and falling into working in a traditional boatyard led to a career change into wooden boat building and restoration.
​Over the last decade I have worked both in the UK and abroad on classic yachts and in traditional boatyards, for modern boatbuilding companies, worked freelance running my own workshop and as professional crew on classic yachts.

Jenisha Mistry – Apprentice Rep

 Hi my name is jen and i am a  second  year shipwright apprentice at Berthon Boat Company in Lymington.

I am new to the world of boats, I started my apprenticeship after completing my BA in fine art. Being a shipwright apprentice has helped me learn so many skills already and use critical thinking I learnt on my degree.
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I get to work with traditional wooden boats and GRP so I am able to pick up a well rounded set of skills.

Betzy Shell – Conservation / Heritage Shipwright Rep

Hey, I’m Betzy. I’m currently part of the shipwright team working on HMS Victory. I retrained in 2020 at IBTC Portsmouth and have been working with wooden boats ever since.
Working on HMS Victory and within the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard has given me a platform to get involved in exhibitions, attend boat shows, do some presenting, and work with school girls.
​I really believe that coverage of women in my trade is so important for the next generation. Outside of work, I’m busy juggling school runs, eating well, staying fit, keeping on top of the house, finding time to socialise, DIY, breaks in my campervan and occasionally the odd sit down!

Jess Clay – South West Representative & Trad Boat Specialist ​

Hello all, I'm Jess - came into maritime age 30 after running away to sea to sail tall ships.

I completed the National Historic Ships UK SHTP2 traineeship for traditional seafaring, spent 3 months on a Boatbuilding crash course at ibtc Lowestoft and eventually went on to work in a variety of roles on tall ships and traditional/heritage vessels all around the UK , from deckhand to cook to first mate.

​I now work as business operations coordinator for Classic Sailing & sometimes co-host a traditional sailing podcast, called Off Watch.

Sydney Fassam – Marine Electrician

Bio Incoming...

Thalia Battersby – Boatyard and Marina Operative

Although I spent much of my childhood in a landlocked city in the north, I spent my summers sailing with my dad and developing a love for water based activities.

Five years ago I started in the industry with Spirit Yachts, first as a yard hand, then as a finisher. Currently, I am completing an apprenticeship with the Marine Society and Woodbridge and Waldringfield Boatyards. 

​In my spare time, I create content on a solo refit of a Dijon 14, I also enjoy tinkering with my motorbike and picking up a new arts and crafts hobby each week!

Lola Morgan - Rigging and Wales Rep

My journey began when I stepped into Swallow Yachts as a trainee—a yard just across the river from where I grew up. It was the moment I realized I could combine my love for the sea with a passion for building.

With a degree in Sculpture & Environmental Art from the Glasgow School of Art, my background in "making" is diverse, ranging from carpentry and natural house builds to sculptures made of wood, metal or clay. I have fond memories of sailing the Keewaydin, skippered by a friend across the Irish Sea from Cardigan bay when I was younger.

Finding my specialty as the yard rigger brought immense satisfaction, but working in a quiet corner of Wales left me wondering: where are the other women? Searching for connection, I discovered the work of Abbey Molyneux and the Women in Boat Building (WIBB) community. Through WIBB, I found the support, friendships, and prospects that transformed my outlook on the trade.
I truly believe that women are empowered through the mastery of craft. I am now focusing on launching workshops in West Wales, dedicated to giving girls and women the confidence to pick up tools and build their own path.

Read Lola’s first article for Practical Boat Owner below.

Heather Dennett – Yacht interior design

Hi, I’m an interior designer, traditional yacht broker, and one half of Dennett Boat Builders, as well as running Henley Sales & Charter.
I specialise in the brokerage, presentation, marketing, and reimagining of classic and contemporary traditional craft. My work spans everything from redesigning and styling traditional boats to managing high-profile brokerage campaigns and private charters… basically making sure the boats that are built and maintained look exceptional and can find owners to buy, keep, use, and love them. Without owners and custodians of boats, we are scuppered.

My lifelong connection to traditional boats and the river began when I became custodian of Gay Venture almost 40 years ago. I am deeply passionate about heritage vessels, and in particular the history, legacy, and preservation of the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships fleet. I am incredibly proud to be the Vice-Commodore of the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships, and it is an added bonus to be the first woman to hold the role… hopefully the first of many.

​I love the combination of design, history, and people in all aspects of my work, whether restoring and reimagining a much-loved craft or helping an owner find the right new custodian for a special boat. Outside of work, I’m a proud mother to three sons, so life is always busy, full, and a constant balance of work, family, and social commitments.

Hanneke Boon – Multi-hull designer

I am the boat designer at James Wharram Designs.

I have sailed many ocean miles and built many boats, specialising in plywood and epoxy boatbuilding techniques.

All this first hand experience and knowledge I deploy in the creation of our Double canoe/catamaran designs, developing simpler building methods, using the minimum of hardware and manufactured parts.

​I also spend time writing; blogs, technical instructions and I co-wrote the autobiography of James Wharram and myself called 'People of the Sea'.

Join Our Global Community
Whether you are a master shipwright, a first-year apprentice or simply curious about picking up a chisel, there is a place for you here. The Women in Boat Building community spans the globe and we make it easy to stay connected no matter where you are located.
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  • Online: Follow our journey on Instagram to see daily stories from women in the trade and join the conversation.

  •  Zoom Socials: Join our regular "virtual boatyard" meetings to share project updates, discuss industry issues or simply chat with people who understand the meaning of having this network. 

  • In-Person Events: Look out for us at major events like the Southampton International Boat Show, where we host the Wooden Boat Stage or join us at our social meet-ups.