Will Reed, Director and Trustee of the Boat Building Academy (BBA) in Lyme Regis, Dorset, said that winning Business of the Year in British Marine’s 2026 Boatbuilders Sector awards, has come at a significant point in the evolution of the college.
Speaking after receiving the award from Sarah Wallbank, Chair of British Marine South West, Will explained: “This award is a fitting testament to five years’ of transformational work by our team, our Trustees and supporters and comes as we look eagerly forward to the next stage of our work to nurture the next generation of skilled craftsmen and women.”
The Boat Building Academy and Furniture School, in Lyme Regis sees graduates going on to work at boatyards across the UK and the world.
Will continued: “Since Covid, we have transformed the BBA into a financially resilient and sustainable organisation operating without any recurring public funding. Crucially, that financial success has enabled significant direct student investment.
“Since becoming a charity in 2020, we have raised £618,309 for boat building, furniture, and short course bursaries, awarding over 200 in total, covering an average of 52% of course fees per student with zero administrative deductions.
“Over half of all bursaries have been awarded to women and non‑binary students, reflecting our hugely successful partnership with Women In Boat Building (WIBB) and our ongoing commitment to widening access and changing the demographic profile of the sector.
“This means that since our founding in 1997, we have trained nearly 3,000 people in boat building, furniture making, and specialist short courses – in many cases through bursary support when no other route into training existed.”
Preparations are currently underway for the BBA to purchase the freehold of its waterfront site – an essential step in the long-term success of the business, said Will: “Buying our building will allow rental expenditure to be redirected into bolstering general funds and potentially direct student support. This will permanently secure our future and the future of boat building training in the UK, and we would very much like to hear from businesses and organisations interested in helping us to fund this project.”
Will added: “As with the Rising Star award won by our students at this year’s Classic Boat Awards, British Marine’s awards are voted for by our leisure marine industry peers, and we are immensely grateful for this recognition and their steadfast and continued support.
“We were also thrilled to learn that the Sustainability Award has been won by BlueTree Boat Builders Ltd – which is operated by two incredibly talented former BBA students who met on our 40-week boatbuilding course. Their win is truly justified and of immense pride to everyone at the BBA.”
Sarah Wallbank, Chair of British Marine South West, said the BBA has a key role to play in the future of boat building: “The Boat Building Academy is one of the most important institutions in the UK marine sector. As custodians of our wooden boat building heritage, they preserve skills and craftsmanship that have shaped Britain’s maritime identity for generations. At the same time, through their commitment to training, equity, and inclusion alongside innovation, they are ensuring those skills remain relevant and valued for the future.
“This award recognises not only an outstanding educational organisation, but a vital part of our industry’s past, present, and future.
“The success of the BlueTree Boat Builders, founded and operated by former BBA students and winners of this year’s Sustainability Award, is a perfect example of the Academy’s impact. It demonstrates that the BBA is not only preserving traditional skills but producing talented marine professionals and successful businesses that are helping to shape the future of our industry.
“Their achievements over the past five years have been remarkable and this recognition is richly deserved. I was delighted to present the award to Will and his dedicated team.”
As winner of the Business of the Year award, the BBA will go on to represent its sector at the British Marine National Awards, taking place during the British Marine Trades Association (BMTA) Awards Dinner on 21 September 2026, hosted at Voco Southampton by IHG.
