Son of a former Fleetwood trawlerman, John has been involved in the maritime industry for over 40 years. A career spent with specialist maritime law firm Hill Dickinson gave an insight into the risk and danger encountered by seafarers. John has been keen to give something back to the maritime industry and this has included being chair of Mersey Maritime for 10 years (stepping down in December 2023) and being a trustee of several maritime industry charities. John is currently the chair of the Steering Group of London International Shipping Week.

The daughter of a Master mariner, Lynn also went to sea and obtained her second mate’s ticket before spending a life in shipping related businesses.

Sharon’s experience working at the Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB) and serving in the Merchant Navy, has enabled her to have an in depth understanding of the issues surrounding parenthood, with long absences and the pressures it brings on families. Subsequent appointments with supported housing and mental health charities, have provided her with a broad understanding of the operational and financial challenges facing voluntary and charity sector organisations. Furthermore, as children, she and her brother were beneficiaries of maritime charities in the form of financial assistance, which made a substantial difference to their lives.

Consequently, she was able to build on that knowledge and understanding of the issues facing seafarers as “service users” and, equally, those facing frontline charities as “service providers” when appointed to the MNWB, serving initially as a Port Welfare Committee Manager and, for the last 6 years as MNWBs Deputy Chief Executive.

A varied senior management career in container shipping has given David his strong appreciation of the personal challenges faced by maritime staff and the vital importance of teamwork and family support.

Raised in the Scottish Highlands and a graduate of Oxford University, David spent several gap years farming, teaching and travelling overseas before starting in shipping in 1977.  He joined the old Liverpool family shipping company Harrison Line, rapidly gaining wide experience in the Caribbean and the Americas before returning to become a Director in Liverpool. After Harrisons ended their container activity in 2000, David then worked for several major foreign container companies, most recently returning to the UK for one of them as head of their British and Irish activities.  In addition to working in Liverpool, he has also worked in London, Manchester and Glasgow.

In every location and culture, David has always particularly concentrated on encouraging strong teamwork and a cooperative approach.   This comes partly from experience of what works well, but also from a long established family background of active community involvement.

David is delighted to be a RLSOI trustee and to be able to help support its beneficiaries and its important work.