Finalists unveiled for the prestigious Portsmouth & Chichester Apprenticeship Awards 2026

The finalists for the 2026 Portsmouth & Chichester Apprenticeship Awards have officially been revealed, celebrating the outstanding individuals, employers and training providers shortlisted across the region.

Now in its sixth year and headlined by The Royal Navy, the awards have become one of the region's most prestigious celebrations of apprenticeship success, recognising the talented individuals, forward-thinking employers and dedicated training providers who are helping to develop the workforce of the future.

Organisers have congratulated all those who made the shortlist following an exceptional standard of entries showcasing regional skills and dedication.

The awards feature 14 categories, celebrating apprentices at every stage of their journey alongside the employers, mentors and training providers whose commitment to skills development is making a lasting impact across Portsmouth and Chichester.

This year's independent judging panel is almost complete and looking forward to reviewing what promises to be another outstanding selection of nominations. Judges include:

• Simon Ashwood, Military Independent Assessment Authority Team Leader, Royal Navy
• Fiona Stilwell, Chief Executive Officer, PETA
• David Humphries, CEO, Shaping Portsmouth
• Mark Waldron, Editor in Chief, Iconic Media
• Jon Daines, Managing Director (Construction), Amiri Construction Ltd
• Matt Johnson, Director - South Coast Institute of Technology

The panel praised the high quality of entries, which shared inspiring apprenticeship journeys, remarkable achievements, and the significant impact made on careers and regional businesses.

The Portsmouth & Chichester Apprenticeship Awards continue to grow year after year, celebrating the individuals and organisations that are investing in talent, creating career opportunities and strengthening the regional economy through apprenticeships.

The winners will be announced at a prestigious awards ceremony on Thursday, October 22 at the Portsmouth Marriott Hotel. Guests will be welcomed from 6.45pm with a drinks reception sponsored by the Marriott Hotel before dinner and the awards presentation.

For further details about the event and shortlisted candidates, visit www.pcapprenticeshipawards.co.uk.

For further information or to discuss sponsorship opportunities, contact Event Manager Haroldine Lockwood at [email protected].

The shortlist:

Intermediate Apprentice

• Bella Driscoll - South Coast Alliance (HTP College Apprenticeships)
• Georgina Rogers - Flique Hair (South Hampshire College Group)
• Kaiden Regan - Haha College (Haha College)

Advanced Apprentice, sponsored by South Hampshire College Group

• Ben Mckay - Safran Helicopter Engines UK (PETA)
• Daniel Nelson - Isle Of Wight Council (Isle of Wight College)
• Emily Gunn - Drift IT Services (PETA Ltd)
• James Lawson - Mipa Paints (PETA Ltd)
• James Stefanaras - The Briny, Southsea (Havant & South Downs College)
• Lydia Paines - Haha College (Haha College)
• Nathaniel Klogo - Safran Helicopter Engines UK (Peta)

Higher Apprentice, sponsored by University of Portsmouth

• Bliss Greenwood - Chichester College Group (Chichester College)
• Brad Richards - SMR Automotive Mirrors UK (PETA Ltd)
• Connor Cooper - Runfold Plastics (PETA Ltd)
• Daisy West - Sisters Inn Arms Venues Ltd (Top Training (HIT Training))
• Kane Young - Mountjoy (Mountjoy LTD)
• Lindsay George - Isle Of Wight Council (Isle of Wight College)
• Thomas Pullen - Micross Components (South Hampshire College Group)

Degree Apprentice

• Arthur Barton-Hide - Mott MacDonald (University of Portsmouth)
• Beverley Parsons - Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS FT (Arden University)
• Charlie Johnson - Portsmouth City Council (UWE Bristol)
• Chloe Woolgar - KBS Maritime (Portsmouth University)
• Holly Griffin - Biscoes Solicitors (Chichester College Group)
• Ivan Faulkner - Lockheed Martin (Southampton Solent University)
• Kirsty Butler - Isle Of Wight Council (Teeside University)
• Lauren Bell - BAE Systems (University of Cumbria)
• Lisa Daish - Isle Of Wight Council (Winchester University)
• Owen Trapnell - Bell Group (University of Portsmouth)

Construction Apprentice

• Brandon Engert - CoTrain (South Hampshire College Group)
• Joe Merrett - Black Cat Building Consultancy (Stuart Hill MRICS)
• Sam Reed - Amiri Construction Ltd (University of Portsmouth)

Engineering/Manufacturing Apprentice

• Alisha Lane - STS Defence (CEMAST - South Hampshire College Group)
• Arthur Barton-Hide - Mott MacDonald (University of Portsmouth)

Health and Public Service Apprentice

• Chris Davies - Department for Work and Pensions (Northeastern University London)
• Kelly Stainton - NHS (Open University)
• Lucy Savage - Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS FT (Brighton University)

Professional Services Apprentice, sponsored by Royal Navy

• Cat Willis - West Sussex County Council (Instep UK)
• Grace Hood - Saga (South Hampshire College Group)
• Lauren Bell - BAE Systems (University of Cumbria)

Technology and Digital Apprentice

• Kayleigh Calvert - Rowans Hospice (Corndel)
• Seyni Ndoye - Portsmouth Aviation (PETA Ltd)

Mentor

• Cheryl Wilson - Biscoes Solicitors
• Claire Richards - Havant & South Downs College (Havant & South Downs College)
• Jemma Athersuch - South Coast Alliance (HTP College Apprenticeships)
• Katie Mann - Shoots Training Limited (Shoots Training)
• Mark Gest - Safran Helicopter Engines UK (Safran Helicopter Engines)
• Melody Chawner - Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS FT (Arden University)

Apprentice Ambassador

• Alison Lee - Biscoes Solicitors (N/A)
• Grace Nye - Hopscotch Day Nurseries (The Childcare Company)
• Simon Ingram - Mountjoy LTD (Mountjoy LTD)
• Terry Hutchins - Royal Navy (Royal Navy)

SME Employer

• Paul Basham Associates - Paul Basham Associates (University of Portsmouth)
• South Coast Alliance CIC - South Coast Alliance CIC (Various)

Large Employer, sponsored by City of Portsmouth College

• Hopscotch Day Nurseries - Hopscotch Day Nurseries (The Childcare Company)
• Mountjoy LTD - Mountjoy LTD
• West Sussex County Council

Training Provider / Programme, sponsored by Royal Navy

• Creative Industries Apprenticeships
• Havant & South Downs College
• NATS (En-Route) PLC
• PETA Ltd
• University of Chichester, School of Nursing and Allied Health
• Shoots Training Limited
• South Hampshire College Group