Governance

Governance

British Marine is the trading name of British Marine Federation Limited, the member association for the leisure, superyacht and small commercial marine industry and the organiser of the Southampton International Boat Show.

Board of Directors

At the heart of British Marine's strategic and operational leadership is the Board of Directors for British Marine. Our board is a dynamic team committed to guiding the organisation towards prosperity and excellence.

  • President
  • Chair
  • President-Elect
  • Treasurer
  • 8 other non-executive directors
  • Chief Executive (Executive)
  • Financial Director (Executive)

All Non-Executive Directors are British Marine members, elected by Council.

  • To address proposals, suggestions and ideas received from Council
  • To formulate and approve the British Marine long-term Strategy and Business Plan
  • To review the Strategy and Business Plan no less than once a year and to update where appropriate.
  • To recommend the financial targets and budgets for all companies and activities within the British Marine Group of Companies with regular reports to Council
  • To set out objectives for the promotion of the industry, including all exhibition activities at home and overseas
  • To receive and approve strategy and plans in relation to Boat Shows, with regular reports to Council

  • Delegating day to day management and operation of British Marine affairs to the Senior Management Team
  • Formulating the strategy and business plan
  • Providing financial oversight of British Marine and provide regular reports to Council on the financial position of the Organisation
  • Holding the Chief Executive the Senior Management Team to account if the annual British Marine strategy and business plan is not achieved
  • Providing strategic overview of the Membership and Boat Show services provided by British Marine
  • Appointing specialist working Groups to address British Marine objectives needing specific skill sets and expertise
  • Exercising overall responsibility of the British Marine Group's property portfolio; investment portfolio, British Marine’s membership and services and British Marine boat shows
  • Taking collective responsibility for the success of the British Marine Group
  • Representing the interests of both British Marine members and exhibitors at Board level

For full detail of British Marine’s Rules and Code of Practice click here.

Current Members of the Board

Matthew Beckwith

Matthew Beckwith

Chair
Carl Onens

Carl Onens

Treasurer
Robert Parton

Robert Parton

President
Lyndsay McClay

Lyndsay McClay

President Elect
Lesley Robinson

Lesley Robinson

CEO at British Marine
Earle Stanner

Earle Stanner

Chief Financial & Operations Officer
Adrian Bratt

Adrian Bratt

Executive Director People, Legal & External Affairs
Lee Hassall

Lee Hassall

Managing Director
Ed Helps

Ed Helps

Non-Executive Director
Ashley Highfield

Ashley Highfield

Non-Executive Director
Martin Latimer

Martin Latimer

Senior Partner
Paul Martin

Paul Martin

MTA Chairman
Paul Knox-Johnston

Paul Knox-Johnston

Non-Executive Director
Miles Moorhouse

Miles Moorhouse

Non-Executive Director
Luke Morrison

Luke Morrison

Non-Executive Director
Malcolm Stewart

Malcolm Stewart

Non-Executive Director

Council

Our Council of Member representatives’ functions as a strategic forum feeding into our Board of Directors. It is a collaborative platform where diverse voices from the marine sector converge, guiding overall British Marine strategy. This ensures that member insights significantly influence British Marine's direction, keeping the organisation aligned with industry needs and aspirations.

Efficient two-way communication between the Council and the Board keeps members informed and engaged. The Council's role extends beyond mere discussion; it actively incorporates feedback from various associations and committees. This inclusive approach ensures that member needs and industry issues are central to decision-making, fostering a responsive and comprehensive leadership style within British Marine. Council also elects the 12 non-executive Board positions from British Marine membership.

  • Debating and resolving national industry issues
  • Providing strategic guidance to the British Marine Board of Directors
  • Electing members to the Board of Directors
  • Acting as the conduit for communication between the British Marine membership and the Board and vice-versa.

 
Name Group / Regional Association
Adrian Bratt Board Member
Alastair Walton BM Boat Retailers & Brokers (BRBA)
Ashley Highfield Board Member
Ben Geary Superyacht UK (SYUK)
Ben Nichols Board Member
Catherine Armstrong BM Midlands
Cath Hough BM Access to Boating (ATBA)
Charles Hansard BM Engines & Equipment (BMEE)
Daniel Jehan BM Isle of Wight
Derek Gilbert BM Electrical & Electronics Association (BMEEA)
Earle Stanner (FINANCE DIRECTOR) Board Member
Ed Helps Board Member
Giles Billingsley BM Kent & Sussex
Hayley Harris BM South West
Ian Cooke (IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT) Immediate Past President
Jan Freeman (TREASURER) Board Member
John Peacock BM Passenger Boat Association (PBA)
Keith Meadowcroft BM Inland Boatbuilding
Kim Hollamby BM Commercial Marine
Lee Hassall Board Member
Lesley Robinson (CEO) Board Member
Lyndsay McClay Board Member/BM South
Martin Latimer Board Member
Matthew Beckwith (CHAIR - BOARD) Board Member / Passenger Boat Association (PBA)
Matthew Thwaites Broads Hire Boat Federation (BHBF)
Mike Cook BM London & Thames Valley
Paul Gullett (PRESIDENT) President
Paul Knox-Johnston BM Professional Services Association (PSA)
Paul Martin Board Member/BM Trades Association (MTA)
Robert Parton (PRESIDENT ELECT) Board Member
Russell Chase BM Inland Boating (BMIB)
Sarah Kennedy BM Scotland
Steve Arber The Yacht Harbour Association (TYHA)

Senior Management Team (SMT)

The Senior Management Team at British Marine is at the forefront of executing the organisation's strategic business plan and carries out the Board’s direction. With a commitment to British Marine's Mission Statement, Vision and National Agenda objectives, this team of professionals directs the day-to-day management and operations.

Focusing on the needs of the members, the SMT action the objectives of British Marine. Through their leadership, expertise, and dedication, the team not only drives operational excellence but also fosters innovation, ensuring British Marine's continued growth and impact in the industry.

Composition of the British Marine Senior Management Team:

  • Lesley Robinson OBE – Chief Executive Officer
  • Earle Stanner – Chief Financial & Operations Officer
  • Brian Clark – Membership Services Director
  • Adrien Burnand – Director of Marketing & Special Projects