The annual Association of Marine Scientific Industries (AMSI) Business Person of the Year Award was presented to Mr. Keith Birch, recently retired Business Development Manager at the National Oceanography Center (NOC), by Mr. Richard Burt, Chairman of the AMSI Council of the Society of Maritime Industries, at the Ocean Business Gala Dinner at Southampton Guildhall on April 10, 2013.
Richard Burt said, “This award is designed to recognize the individual which in the opinion of the AMSI Council has made a significant contribution to the business of marine science and technology in the U.K.
Keith Birch is only seven days short of laying claim to 45 years since joining the Natural Environment Research Council; a distinguished career which has seen him at the interface of industry and the research community at the forefront of the early autosub work for which the NOC has become renowned.
Mr. Burt continued “Keith has been at the heart of many important business development projects for the NOC, particularly establishing key links with industry and the AMSI Council believed him to be a worthy recipient of this award.”