Polaris owner Ben Pinnington has been named International Member of the Year by the International Propeller Club.
The award, presented by International Propeller Club president Costis Frangoulis at the International Propeller Club convention in San Diego, came in recognition of Ben’s work as president of the Chicago Propeller Club and its revival over the past three years.
Speaking on LinkedIn, Ben said the award also recognised the many people who have supported the club since he and his friend Chris Carr first floated the idea of reviving it in 2023.
“Without the sponsors, members, board and people who’ve attended our 14 events there would be no club,” he said. “So thank you to all who’ve given their time and resources.”
Ben said the importance of the club went beyond bringing people in the maritime industry together.
“The club matters because it is about giving back and being a force for good,” he said. “This is in the DNA of maritime.
“When I set up in business my first maritime client was Cammell Laird shipbuilders in Birkenhead near Liverpool. The leadership at Lairds made it clear: you work here, you give back.
“We must not forget our responsibility to help seafarers and young people, support small businesses and drive wealth generation often in poor communities. And we honour the role maritime has played in fighting for freedom.”
Ben said he passionately believed that, as with other chapters, Chicago Propeller Club succeeds when it connects with people’s ambitions.
That could mean helping someone “grow their small business, expand their big business, give a young person a way out of poverty, or as a way to meet talented new team members,” he said.
Ben also thanked Costis Frangoulis.
“Costis is doing important work recalibrating the IPC, asserting its status as the biggest maritime business club in the world,” he said.