13 January 2026

Lesley Robinson OBE has decided to step down from her role as Chief Executive of British Marine this summer, following eight years in post. A structured transition plan is in place, with Earle Stanner (current Chief Finance and Operations Officer) being appointed as the organisation’s next Chief Executive.

Lesley will continue to lead British Marine over the coming months, working closely with Earle to ensure continuity, delivery of priorities and a smooth handover.

Lesley joined British Marine from MDL Marinas in July 2018 and has led the organisation through a period of significant change and challenge. During her tenure, she oversaw the modernisation of governance, the development of a new membership strategy and national agenda, and a series of change programmes focused on strengthening leadership capability and organisational effectiveness to better serve our 1,300 members.

She led British Marine through the unprecedented challenges of the Covid period, including the cancellation of the Southampton International Boat Show in 2020, while continuing to support members through representation, guidance and practical assistance. Lesley has also served on the board of ICOMIA for six years as a non-executive director, most recently as Treasurer, ensuring UK leisure marine interests are represented at an international level. In 2021, in recognition of her services to the leisure marine industry, Lesley was appointed to the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE).

An honour to serve

Commenting on her decision,

It has been an honour to lead British Marine through such a significant period. Supporting our members with the help they need and the wider industry through challenging times, for example through lobbying on their behalf, providing training programmes and new career pathways to upskill their teams and evolving the UK’s key annual boat show to attract newcomers into the industry as well as providing a significant selling platform to exhibitors has been immensely rewarding. I have also loved putting in place new partnerships such as that with ABYA for our brokers or with other sectors such as the caravanning sector (our member presence at their February show) to continually evolve how we best serve our members.

As part of the agreed arrangements, Lesley will remain fully focused on delivering priorities through the handover period. Following this, she will continue to support British Marine in a part-time consultancy capacity, providing senior-level support on specific projects and helping to retain corporate knowledge through the full annual cycle. Lesley commented:

A significant contribution
 

In my view the multiple royal visits to the show over recent years are perhaps the clearest external endorsement that British Marine has been doing many things right. Her leadership has strengthened the organisation’s capability, credibility and influence, both nationally and internationally, and leaves British Marine well positioned for its next phase. I am grateful that Lesley will continue to lead the organisation during the transition and for her consultancy commitment thereafter to further support Earle and the Board. The Board is confident in Earle’s appointment and in the continuity this transition provides.

Matthew Beckwith Chair at British Marine

Lesley has made a significant and lasting contribution to British Marine by taking areas of member focus/needs and turning them into positive contributions, for example the growth of apprenticeships and end point assessments, the expansion of training into a strong and respected capability within the industry and the continued evolution and success of both the Southampton International Boat Show and Women In Marine events, and also the successful letting of Marine House are all lasting achievements.