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About the SUT

The Society for Underwater Technology (SUT) is a multidisciplinary learned society that brings together organisations and individuals with a common interest in underwater technology, ocean science and offshore engineering.

SUT was founded in 1966 and has members from more than 40 countries, including engineers, scientists, other professionals and students working in these areas. In recent decades many of our members have come from the offshore hydrocarbon sector, today we also see growing numbers of members from offshore renewables, marine autonomous systems, and the policy, law and insurance sectors who support offshore activities of many kinds.

The Underwater Association which also commenced operations in 1966 had a long-standing relationship with SUT, and merged with us in 1992, having played a key role in establishing safer diving practices in consultation with the UK Health & Safety Executive. Their legacy can be particularly seen in the work of our Diving & Manned Submersibles Committee.

Please click here for the Articles of Association of the Society for Underwater Technology, amended December 2021.

A link to SUT’s Ethical Policy can be found here – please note this applies to all Members, Fellows, Branches and Special Interest Groups.

The Society for Underwater Technology is a Charity Registered in the UK: Reg Charity No. 256659 (England and Wales) and SC043942 (Scotland).

Annual Report

Click to see the Annual Report of the Society for Underwater Technology (2023-2024)

Click to see the Accounts of the Society for Underwater Technology (2023-2024)

The current list of Council Members and Committee Chairs can be found here.

Strategic Framework 2025-2035

As the Society approaches its 60th year, it must adapt to a changing ocean economy and evolving communication methods. This 2025–2035 Strategic Framework outlines goals to support members, foster innovation, and enhance knowledge exchange, ensuring the Society continues to serve its community while promoting sustainable ocean use and protection.

To receive a copy of the SUT’s Strategic Framework please complete and submit the form below.

THE AIMS OF THE SOCIETY

The SUT was founded to promote the further understanding of the underwater environment and to encourage:

  • cross–fertilisation and dissemination of ideas, experience and information between workers in academic research, applied research and technology, industry and government
  • development of techniques and tools to explore, study and exploit the oceans
  • proper economic and sociological usage of resources in and beneath the oceans
  • further education of scientists and technologists to maintain high standards in marine science and technology.

THE INTERESTS OF THE SUT

The SUT considers all aspects of technology applied to:

  • diving and manned submersibles
  • environmental forces
  • marine environmental science
  • marine renewable energies
  • ocean policy and law
  • ocean resources
  • offshore site investigation and geotechnics
  • salvage and decommissioning
  • subsea engineering and operations
  • underwater robotics
  • underwater science
  • underwater security
  • UXO (unexploded ordnance)

For more information on the SUT’s interest areas, please visit the Special Interest Groups section of this website.

OUR PEOPLE

For current officers of Council, committee Chairs, past Presidents, and past Chairs of Council please click here.

UK

Cheryl Burgess
Chief Executive
Email Cheryl

Cheryl joined SUT in January 2021, bringing over three decades’ experience in the energy industry including oil & gas (both offshore and onshore); renewables; and utilities. She is the former Director General of the Pipeline Industries Guild, and her extensive international expertise from her years with UK Trade & Investment and the Society of British Gas Industries will bring benefit to the SUT’s international Branches and interests. A strong advocate for organisations she has represented, she is also committed to engaging students, graduates, and young professionals in the industries the SUT represents.

Jane Hinton
Membership & Finance Officer
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Jane’s role as Membership & Finance Officer covers all matters relating to membership including the upkeep of the main SUT database, collecting subscriptions, welcoming new members, and sending out notices on SUT news and forthcoming events. Jane is also responsible for the day-to-day financial matters of the Society including bookkeeping and credit control.

Emily Boddy
Publications & Communications Officer
Emily is currently on maternity leave

Emily’s main roles as communications & publications officer are the production of all SUT publications (digital and print), including Big Blue World, the Annual Report, and all additional publications and conference proceedings required by the Society. Emily is also responsible for the maintenance & development of the SUT’s website. Emily designs and creates all of SUT’s marketing and membership material. Emily is responsible for communicating with the membership for SUT updates and news as well as managing the SUT’s social media. Emily is also the producer and editor of SUT’s Underwater Technology Podcast.

Clare Parisi
Events & Training Officer
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Clare joined the SUT in 2024 as Events & Training Officer. Clare is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing a variety of SUT events and training courses taking place in the UK. This includes conferences, dinners, exhibitions, technical meetings, webinars, pub quizzes, golf days and other social events, online training, and face-to-face training courses.

Katie Fearon
Marketing & Communications Officer
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Katie joined the SUT in November 2024 and is responsible for communicating with the membership and SUT followers with updates and news as well as promoting SUT activity and managing the SUT’s social media. Katie will also be supporting the SUT HQ team with some membership services.

Michelle Jones
Publications and Web Officer
Michelle joined the SUT in March 2025 as maternity cover. Michelle is responsible for the production of all SUT Publications (digital and print) including Big Blue World, the Annual Report, and any other publications produced by the Society. Michelle will also design and create SUT’s marketing material, as well as maintain and help develop the SUT’s website.

 

Perth, Australia

Fiona Allan
Perth Office Manager
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Fiona is the Office Manager for the Perth Branch and is responsible for financial matters as well as SUT Memberships. Fiona is also actively involved with the SUT Committee and SUT Australian Scholarships.

 

Jade Melville
Events & Marketing Manager
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Jade joined the SUT Team in December 2021, with over six years of events and marketing experience within corporate organisations. Her role focuses on the administration, coordination, and marketing of Perth events as well as updating the website.

 

Claire Van Poecke
Marketing & Events Assistant
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Claire comes from an events and marketing background with 5 years of experience in related fields, 10 years in customer service roles and an Event Management Diploma. Claire’s role at SUT Perth Branch is focused on managing social media platforms, maintaining website updates, compiling email marketing campaigns as well as assisting the Marketing Coordinator in events management both prior to the events and on the day.

 

Ellaria Ibraheem
Marketing & Events Assistant
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Ellaria joined the SUT Team in January 2024, armed with a Bachelors degree in Event Management. Stepping into the position of Events & Marketing Assistant, Ellaria’s role consists of the administration, coordination, and marketing of Perth events.

 

SUT-US

Patsy Rhymes
Event Manager
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Patsy manages the events in Houston for the US Branch, as well as working closely with other team members across various business units in product marketing, social media, PR, campaign management and corporate marketing.

 

Mariana Diaz
Marketing Editor & Communications
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