10 June 2025
At a specially convened Council meeting held on Monday 9 June 2025, British Marine Council members received the results of a recent vote by Council to approve a number of important amendments to our Rules, Code of Practice, and Articles of Association.
These changes, which were unanimously approved by the British Marine Board ahead of this Council vote, were put forward as part of British Marine’s ongoing commitment to good governance, transparency, and continuous improvement for our members.
The votes were cast by Council representatives drawn from each British Marine Region and Group Association. Council members voted on behalf of the members within their associations, using a weighted voting mechanism designed to reflect the breadth and diversity of the membership.
Key Changes to the Rules and Code of Practice
The approved updates to the Code of Practice reflect the evolving nature of the marine industry and British Marine’s membership base. Highlights of the changes include:
- Introduction of Individual Membership: A new category of membership aimed at professionals in the sector has been introduced. While Individual Members will not receive all the benefits of trade membership, this option, when activated, will offer new ways to engage with British Marine.
- Clarification of Membership Requirements: Updates have been made to ensure all members are affiliated with at least one Group Association, and to clarify that membership benefits only begin once payment has been received.
- Updates to Roles and Dates: Outdated job titles and legacy dates have been corrected to reflect British Marine’s current operational structure and financial year.
- Changes to Subscription Terms: British Marine will now implement rolling annual subscriptions for new members and introduce auto-renewal for all members, aligning with best practices in membership organisations and offering more flexibility.
- Removal of Transferable SIBS Discount: A policy change ensures that discounts for the Southampton International Boat Show (SIBS) are no longer transferable.
- Strengthened Compliance Requirements: Additional standards now apply to members working in electrical and electronic fields – This brings the existing BMEEA by-laws into British Marine’s overarching rules.
Amendment to the Articles of Association
One significant amendment to the Articles of Association relates to the tenure of the Chair of the British Marine Board. The Council approved a proposal to allow, in exceptional circumstances, an extension of the Chair’s term from four to five years. This one-off extension is intended to maintain continuity and avoid the terms of the Chair and President concluding simultaneously, ensuring stable leadership and effective knowledge transfer at Board level.
A clarifying provision was also added to confirm that a former Chair cannot remain on the Board beyond the end of their term in that role.
What Happens Next
The updates to the Code of Practice and Articles of Association are now formally adopted.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE UPDATED RULES & CODE OF PRACTICE
British Marine would like to thank all Council members for their participation and for representing the views of their respective associations. These changes will help strengthen our structure and ensure it remains fit for purpose in supporting the UK’s vibrant leisure marine sector.
For further information or any questions regarding the changes, members are encouraged to contact Brian Clark, Member Services Director at bclark@britishmarine.co.uk