Anna Kaparaki

Anna is a trailblazing expert in maritime law who strives for the advancement of women in the sector. In her role as a lecturer with LJMU’s School of Engineering she works alongside colleagues to promote inclusivity and diversity within the university and by connecting with key maritime organisations, both in the region and internationally, to bring about positive change across the sector.

“To truly embrace equity, means to deeply believe, value, and seek out difference as a necessary and positive element of life,” explains Anna. “To embrace equity means to understand the journey required to achieve women’s equality. I am honoured to work and be an active member of various women’s maritime associations and organisations. Now is more than ever ‘the time for guts and guile’ and I am more than confident that women can play a vital role in the creation of a fairer and more inclusive world.”

Alongside her role in academia, Anna is a dual-qualified solicitor, specialising in marine and shipping law matters with a particular focus on shipboard and offshore casualty claims, hull and machinery marine insurance claims, charter-party disputes and fleet purchase transactions.

She was called to the Athens Bar Association in 2005 and currently works as a Senior Solicitor with Mackinnons Solicitors LLP, which is a shipping law firm renowned for its clientele in the maritime industry.

Anna is also an LJMU alumna, having graduated with distinction from the MSc Maritime Operations Management programme in 2017. She has been lecturing with LJMU since 2019 and is an active member of various maritime organisations including the Liverpool and North West Propeller Club and WISTA (Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association) UK and International, the London Shipping Law Centre (LSLC) and the International Propeller Club, Port of Piraeus, Greece.

Anna’s dedication and commitment to the maritime sector has been so outstanding that in early 2024 she was named in a top 100 list of women in shipping for the fifth consecutive year. All About Shipping’s list of ‘100 Top Women in the Shipping Industry for 2023’ recognises the contributions of women across all sectors of the shipping industry, championing inclusivity across maritime businesses and organisations. Anna was selected from more than 1,000 women to feature in the top 100 list, a list she has featured in every year since its inception in 2019.

Talking about featuring in the list, Anna said: “It is a great honour for me to note my name featured amongst other phenomenal women of the shipping industry. It is a great privilege for me to be surrounded both at work and in life by so many prestigious women in maritime and I proudly wave my two flags - Greek and British - in this list. You are all a true inspiration to me.”

And within the university community, Anna is recognised as going above and beyond to enhance the student experience. She bridges the gap between students and the shipping industry to ensure they gain real-world experience alongside theoretical learning through field trips and opportunities to attend events with the many maritime organisations Anna plays a key role in.

She is also committed to supporting her students beyond graduation, to ensure that alumni have an inspirational role model to call upon for advice and guidance in their own flourishing careers and further studies.

Anna also plays a key role in the development of cross faculty collaboration, promoting the cooperation between the School of Engineering and the School of Law, bringing LJMU’s maritime and legal expertise together in both teaching and research opportunities.