This is your chance to immerse yourself in a day packed with inspiring and informative talks, invaluable networking opportunities, and a bit of social fun.
When: Thursday 13 November 2025
Time: 09.00 - 22.30
Where: Black Country Living Museum, Dudley
Price: Members - £135.47 / Non-members - £225.30
Join us for an unmissable day dedicated to innovation, collaboration, and industry updates at the British Marine Inland Conference 2025.
Whether you're here to learn, share, or simply enjoy the company of like-minded professionals, this conference promises to deliver valuable insight and great memories.
This year’s event brings together leading voices, navigation authorities, and marine experts for a dynamic programme of talks, discussions, and networking.
9.00 - Arrival and Refreshments
9.25 – Welcome - Ed Helps - British Marine Inland Chairman
9.30 – British Marine Inland and Midlands Associations AGM
9.50 – History of the Black Country Living Museum - Matthew Cowpe – Head of Collections and Interpretation, Black Country Living Museum
10.00 – Black Country Canal History - Dr Paul Collins - Resilience Contractor, Aldridge Transport Museum
10.10 – Introduction and Key Organisation Briefing - Campbell Robb - CEO, Canal & River Trust
10.30 – Navigation Authorities - Key Organisation Briefing - Lindsey Sayner - Deputy Director, Asset Operation Services - Environment Agency
10.50 - Current challenges for the Broads and the Broads Authority -fall in the number of boats, lack of government funding, competition from overseas tourism etc. - John Packman - CEO, Broads Authority
11.10 – Refreshment Break
11.30 - Fire Prevention on Inland Waterways and Marinas - Dr Peter Mansi - Forensic Fire & Explosion Investigator - Fire Investigators (UK) LLP
11.55 – HVO and Alternative Fuels - Graham Manchester - Alternative Fuels & New Business Development, Compass Energy
12.10 - Grand Union Canal Transfer (Midlands - South-East) - Peter Walker - Head of Strategic Infrastructure Projects, Canal & River Trust
12.30 -1.30
1.30 – Navigation Authority Updates - Gareth Stephens - Head of Business Boating & Waterside Moorings, Matthew Symmonds - Head of Boating & Customer Service and Adam Comerford - National Hydrology Manager, Canal & River Trust and Bill Jephson - Deputy Director, Navigation Operations, Environment Agency
2.00 -Breakout Sessions 15 minutes each group – To include afternoon refreshment break
2.55 – Tourism on the Thames 2025 and 2026 - Karen Roebuck, Visit Thames Project Manager, Visit Thames
3.10 - How the Waterways Chaplaincy helps - Reverend Chris Upton - National Lead Chaplain, Waterways Chaplaincy
3.20 – The Yacht Harbour Association (TYHA) Updates (including new code of practice) - Jon White, General Manager, TYHA
3.40 - Plans for 2026 - Brian Clark - Member Services Director, British Marine
3.55 – Closing remarks and thanks - Robert Parton – President, British Marine
4.00 – Networking Drinks
Dr Paul Collins is a historian, industrial archaeologist, writer, and broadcaster with a lifelong passion for transport and the Black Country’s heritage. The author of 23 books and numerous articles, Paul has lectured at Birmingham University, worked as a conservation officer, and now serves as a Resilience Contractor at Aldridge Transport Museum. He is also a familiar voice on Black Country Radio, where he presents Black Country Week, Black Country Matters, and The 70s & 80s Show.
Matthew is Head of Boating and Customer Service at the Canal & River Trust, where he oversees boat licensing, enforcement, boater engagement, and customer service operations. Having spent over 13 years with the Trust in various boating roles, he brings extensive experience and insight into the sector. Most recently, he led the development and rollout of the Trust’s Better Boating Plan, enhancing the experience for boaters across the network. Matthew is a regular contributor at industry events and conferences, known for his collaborative approach and commitment to improving boating in the UK.
Campbell became Chief Executive of the Canal & River Trust in early October 2025, bringing over two decades of leadership experience across the charity and public sectors. Before joining the Trust, he spent six years leading the social justice charity Nacro, following roles as Chief Executive of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Housing Trust, and of Shelter, where he guided both organisations through significant transformation. Earlier in his career, Campbell served as Director General of the Office of the Third Sector, Adviser to HM Treasury, and Director of Public Policy at NCVO. He brings a deep commitment to social impact, community engagement, and environmental stewardship across the UK’s waterways.
Dr Peter Mansi PhD EngTech FIFireE MCSFS FFireInv MIAAI IAAI-CFI IAAI-ECT
Fire Investigation Specialist | Former London Fire Brigade Borough Commander | Internationally Certified Fire Investigator
Dr Peter Mansi is a leading fire investigation expert with over 30 years of operational and investigative experience. A Fellow of the Institution of Fire Engineers and Life Member of the IAAI and UK-AFI, he has played key roles in many of the UK’s most significant fire investigations, including Grenfell Tower, the Cutty Sark, and the Great Fire of London cold case. Peter is dedicated to advancing systematic, evidence-based fire investigation methodologies and improving global investigative standards.
Gareth Stephens is Head of Business Boating and Waterside Moorings at the Canal & River Trust, leading on all aspects of commercial boating and property management. With over 20 years at the Trust in operational and leadership roles — and previous experience managing a coastal marina and boatyard — Gareth brings deep expertise in both inland and coastal boating operations. He holds an MSc in Commercial Real Estate and is a Certificated Marina Manager, combining professional insight with a lifelong passion for the waterways.
Chris has led the Waterways Chaplaincy since July 2023, following over two decades as leader of Haworth Baptist Church in West Yorkshire. During his time there, he helped the church become a vibrant part of community life, reaching many beyond its Sunday congregation. With a background in Marine Technology — and having grown up on an island — Chris brings a lifelong connection to the water and a deep commitment to pastoral care across the UK’s waterways.
John Packman is Chief Executive of the Broads Authority and a geographer and town planner by background. Since his appointment in 2001, he has led significant transformation, including acquiring May Gurney’s dredging operation, securing a Private Bill through Parliament to improve public safety, and delivering multiple European projects. Previously, John held senior roles in local government and academia including at Brighton & Hove City Council, Norfolk County Council, and the Ministry of Works and Development in New Zealand. He also serves as the National Parks’ lead Chief Executive for Communications and IT and is a trustee of Future Projects. As he prepares to retire in 2026, John remains focused on key priorities for the Broads: tackling climate change, promoting biodiversity, and ensuring the area’s long-term sustainability.
Lindsey is a Chartered Engineer with over 20 years of experience in the water and environmental sectors. As Deputy Director for Asset Operation Services at the Environment Agency, she leads the National Navigation team, setting strategy for local waterways operations and overseeing the Agency’s role as a Navigation Authority. Her remit also includes Reservoir Safety, River Regulation, Incident Response Assets, Operational Risk Management, and Operational Standards ensuring the safe and sustainable operation of assets across the network. Lindsey’s career includes leadership in Flood and Coastal Risk Management, Environmental Regulation, and Engineering, with experience overseeing more than 13,000 flood risk assets in the West Midlands.
Matthew Cowpe is the Head of Collections and Interpretation at the Black Country Living Museum, where he leads the care, research, and development of the Museum’s historic collections, interpretation, and costume making. He is currently overseeing the final stages of the Museum’s major redevelopment project, Forging Ahead, while planning future enhancements across the site. With over 20 years’ experience, Matthew has delivered major projects and exhibitions for leading institutions including the V&A, the Natural History Museum, the Museum of London, and the National Trust.
Graham’s career in fuel and transport began early, inspired by his father, one of the UK’s first oil distributors. Over the years, he has expanded that legacy into transport systems and operational solutions - including systems for boat clubs - while maintaining a strong focus on energy innovation. Today, Graham continues to drive progress in the sector through the supply of alternative fuels such as HVO and electric solutions, supporting a more sustainable future for transport.
Peter is the Canal & River Trust’s Head of Strategic Infrastructure Projects, overseeing the Trust’s engagement with major national schemes including the Grand Union Canal Water Transfer project and HS2. A Chartered Civil Engineer and Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, he also serves as Chair of the Association of Inland Navigation Authorities and a Trustee of the Waterways Pension Fund.
With 35 years’ experience in engineering and construction, Peter joined British Waterways in 2003 after 14 years with major civil engineering contractors. He has since held a variety of asset and project management roles, progressing to senior national leadership. Outside of work, Peter enjoys walking, gardening, and parkrunning — having completed more than 100 runs — and is a lifelong Newcastle United supporter.
Karen Roebuck is the Visit Thames Project Manager and a highly experienced tourism professional with over 30 years in destination marketing and partnership development. As Head of Marketing at Tourism South East, she has led numerous domestic, international, and government-funded tourism initiatives — including recovery campaigns following severe flooding along the Thames.
Karen has worked with destinations along the River Thames since the early 1990s and was one of the founding partners of the Thames Marketing Partnership, collaborating with the Environment Agency, British Marine, and Thames Path National Trail to unite businesses along the river. She has managed the Visit Thames website since 2013, overseeing all marketing and PR, and recently led its successful relaunch to strengthen the Thames’ profile as a leading visitor destination.
Ed joined British Marine in 2016. Previously he has worked for Fairline Yachts, Discovery Yachts and Blyth Workcats. He studied Marine Sport Technology at Plymouth University, which is recognised by the Institute for Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST).
At British Marine as Head of Technical Services Ed looks after the passenger boat, small commercial and superyacht technical guidance and standards. He is also the chair of the PBA Technical Sub-Committee, convenor of ISO working group TC8SC12WG3, participant in WG5 and organiser of the Superyacht UK Technical seminar.
Joanna joined British Marine in 2022 having previously managed a range of strategic programmes for Hampshire County Council and advised its Cabinet on its government relations. She has always taken a close interest in public affairs having started her career working for Parliamentary Select Committees and over the next three decades worked as a communications and policy adviser for several senior MPs, including Government and Shadow Ministers.
At British Marine, as External Relations Manager, Joanna is focussed on supporting members by working its Head of Public Affairs to ensure the voice of the leisure marine industry is heard in Westminster and Whitehall and that British Marine continues to build positive engagement with key influencers and national decision-makers.
Manj joined British Marine in January of 2022, as Head of Training bringing with him a wealth of experience and knowledge of the Skills and Apprenticeships sector. It’s a sector Manj has worked in for 16 years, across varying settings that included Private Training Providers, Charitable Organisations and Further Education College.
In his role Manj is responsible for all domestic and international training events, being the Responsible Officer for our End Point Assessment service and leading a number of projects that serve to expand upon our current course, training and qualification routes.
Member Services Director Brian returned to British Marine in February 2019 after working for the National Caravan Council as their Head of Government Relations and Policy. Before that, Brian spent 13 years at British Marine, first joining in 2005 as Environment Executive before progressing to Head of External Relations.
Before joining British Marine, Brian worked for the Environment Agency as an Environment Management Officer where he was responsible for dealing with pollution control incidents and environment management inspections of businesses in the Thames Valley.
Brian is now responsible for the development and delivery of thought leadership and strategic policy direction for the Association and implementing substantive change through key stakeholder management at the highest level for British Marine and the UK leisure marine industry as a whole. He is also responsible for developing the research that British Marine produces to support the marine industry.
Jon joined British Marine in 2014 as General Manager for The Yacht Harbour Association (TYHA). Before he joined British Marine, Jon worked for the RYA on a range of projects in the leisure marine industry and the marina sector.
Jon is responsible for managing TYHA, the international members association for the support and development of marinas. He is a member of the ICOMIA Marinas Group and sits on the Global Marina Institute advisory board. Since joining TYHA, Jon has built a close working relationship with the Marina Industries Association and partnered with them in the re-development of the Gold Anchor global marina accreditation scheme.
The day doesn’t end when the talks finish!
Join us for a relaxed post-conference drinks reception, followed by an evening of live music and entertainment.
We’ll round things off in true Black Country style with a traditional fish and chip supper.
Be part of a day that celebrates the people, innovation, and future of the inland marine industry.
Daytime Programme Sponsor: Haven Knox-Johnston
Evening Celebrations Sponsor: Hoseasons
Networking Session: Barrus
This is about the fourth time I’ve been to this event, and it gets bigger and better, and more informative every year
Phil James, EP BarrusToday has been really informative, as these networking events are and if you weren’t here, you should have been!
Justin Green, J G MarineIt was a great chance to reflect on the past year, discuss key events and engage in thoughtful debates
Carl Onens, Managing Director ABC Leisure GroupI found the speakers very interesting and informative. I am looking forward to next year’s already!
Rev Chris Upton, Waterways ChaplaincyFor more information, reach out to Lisa Jupp at ljupp@britishmarine.co.uk or call 07860 848835.