British Marine appoints five new board members

British Marine has appointed five new non-executive directors to its board, effective from 18 July 2024.

These appointments were made following a vote at the recent British Marine Council.

The new board members are:

• Paul Knox-Johnston — sales and marketing manager at Haven Knox-Johnston.
• Miles Moorhouse — head of marketing at Fairline Yachts.
• Luke Morrison — CEO/managing director of Rooster Sailing.
• Carl Onens (treasurer) – managing director of ABC Leisure Group.
• Malcolm Stewart – head of commercial marine at Haven Knox-Johnston.

British Marine has also appointed Lyndsay McClay — Marine Industry News‘ multi-talented commercial manager — as the new president-elect.

Paul Knox-Johnston

Paul Knox-Johnston is the head of marketing for Haven Knox-Johnston and current chair of British Marine’s Professional Services Association. Born into the marine industry, his career has spanned a broad spectrum, encompassing boat sales, yacht charters, marine finance and most recently insurance.

“I am honoured to have been asked to join the board of British Marine. Having served as chair of the British Marine Professional Services Association for the past two years, I am incredibly proud of the support that British Marine provides to the industry and have seen firsthand the value that the organisation brings,” he says.

Miles Moorhouse

Miles Moorhouse is head of marketing at Fairline Yachts and has worked in the leisure marine sector for 16 years, primarily at Fairline, with a brief period at Sunseeker, overseeing global marketing initiatives.

“I’m particularly looking forward to bringing my experience of international boat shows to British Marine and being an active member of the team that propels the Southampton International Boat Show to wider audiences – both in terms of exhibitors and visitors,” he says.

Luke Morrison

Luke Morrison is the CEO/managing director of Rooster Sailing, which designs, manufactures and distributes technical sailing apparel and accessories.

A lifelong dinghy sailor, Morrison enjoys sailing with his wife Kate, mostly in small boats, and cruising along the south coast on their larger boat. He has served as a Club Commodore and Trustee at Hill Head Sailing Club and has been honoured with an RYA Community Award for his contributions to the sailing community. In 2022, he was also recognised as Boating Business Young Businessperson of the Year.

“I am delighted to accept a position as non-executive director with British Marine,” he says. “Coming from Rooster, a very typical SME and with a passion for wanting to make sure members in any form of organisation are listened to and represented well, I look forward to supporting the board and helping to move our marine industry forward with good stability and exciting growth.”

Carl Onens

Carl Onens is the managing director of ABC Leisure Group Limited, which owns and operates 17 inland waterway marinas across the UK with 200 self-drive self-catering holiday narrowboats for hire.

He recently completed a four-year term as an elected business boating representative on the Canal and Rivers Trust council.

“I feel very privileged to be appointed British Marine’s treasurer,” he says. “I have a long-standing association with British Marine, having worked within the industry for almost 20 years, and look forward to helping with the vital role representing members.”

Malcolm Stewart

Malcolm Stewart is head of Haven Knox-Johnston Commercial Insurance Brokers and has been assistant Chair of the Professional Services committee for the last three years and a member of the committee for the previous three years.

Stewart is well known for championing young people into the marine industry through work with the MTA awards, Seawork exhibition and internally within the HKJ parent company.

“I am pleased to be joining the board at an exciting time for the marine industry,” he says.

“Having worked in this wonderful sector for over 20 years, I look forward to providing support to British Marine helping to develop and grow our incredibly diverse industry.”

Lyndsay McClay

British Marine has also appointed Lyndsay McClay — who happens to be Marine Industry News‘ commercial manager — as the new president-elect. In her role as commercial manager for MIN, McClay brings a wealth of experience and vision to the helm. She will serve as president-elect for two years from July 2024 before assuming the role of president in July 2026.

“I’m incredibly honoured to be voted in as president-elect of British Marine,” says McClay. “Since I joined the industry in 2015, I’ve aimed to support the amazing people who are the backbone of our sector. I’m really looking forward to working with our president, chair, fellow board members and the entire British Marine team to drive success and innovation for the whole industry.”

All the new appointments have been welcomed by British Marine CEO, Lesley Robinson who adds: “We are delighted to welcome such a talented group of professionals to our board. Each new director brings a wealth of experience and a new perspective that is vital for our continued strategic progress. Their diverse expertise will undoubtedly strengthen British Marine’s ability to champion the UK marine industry.

“I look forward to working closely with them and with our president-elect, Lyndsay McClay, to navigate the exciting opportunities ahead.”

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