Our team

Chris Goldsworthy

Chief Executive

Chris Goldsworthy CEng CMarEng FIMarEST is Chief Executive at the IMarEST, a position he's held since January 2024.

Chris spent 16 years at sea before transitioning to ship management ashore, where he worked for 20 years. Since then, Chris has embarked on a new chapter with the IMarEST after 30 years of membership, now leading the HQ Team as Chief Executive.

Sue Arnold

Chief Operating Officer

Sue is responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations, financial management, and strategic delivery across all areas of the Institute.

Playing a pivotal role in supporting governance, compliance, and reporting, Sue ensures that the Board of Trustees and committees are equipped with the insight and information needed for effective decision-making.

Sue leads cross-functional initiatives, from systems development and membership engagement to organisational restructuring, driving continuous improvement and operational efficiency.

Jo Lewis

Engagement Director

Jo works closely with our volunteers and members worldwide in her role as Engagement Director, where she is responsible for overseeing our events programme, governance structures and communications and awards, ensuring everything from branch outreach to strategic communications runs smoothly.

With a strong focus on member value and professional development, Jo plays a key role in maintaining compliance and quality standards, including GDPR and ISO 9001, and driving initiatives to enhance member and volunteer experiences across the board.

As Jo is based in the Midlands in the UK, she loves nothing more than sitting on a beach gazing out at the ocean.

Naomi Taylor

Membership and Professional Services Director

Naomi leads the day-to-day operations of membership services and professional development, ensuring high member satisfaction and professionalism standards are developed and maintained as part of our core offering.

As director, Naomi is responsible for driving long-term membership strategies, developing and delivering a relevant and exciting the member value proposition, and ensuring alignment between professional development programmes and industry standards and accreditation requirements.

Naomi's favourite aspect of the marine sector is the strong sense of community and the passion people have for protecting and exploring our oceans. She also learned to scuba dive in Fethiye in Turkey, an activity she loves!

Alasdair Wishart

Technical & Policy Director

Alasdair is a maritime professional with extensive experience in LNG carrier and FSRU management. Now Technical and Policy Director at the IMarEST, he brings strategic leadership and technical expertise to support members, drive marine innovation and advance sustainability, regulation, and best practice across the global maritime industry.

Alasdair loves to escape with his young family to Devon for surfing staycations.

Natalie Newton

Senior Executive Assistant

As the Senior Executive Assistant at the IMarEST, Natalie supports the CEO and COO with their day-to-day diaries and responsibilities.

Natalie is responsible for coordinating logistics and managing critical meetings, to keeping HR processes in check and supporting our governance work.

Natalie grew up on a Dutch barge, where she learnt the ropes of nautical navigation. That early connection gave her a real appreciation for the marine industry and the people who work in it.

Alex Hammond

Head of Professional Services

Alex is the Head of Professional Services and leads on our international accreditation portfolio, covering academic accreditation, Initial Professional Development (IPD) schemes and our Defined Routes, ensuring they meet and maintain the standards and regulations set by the Engineering Council and Science Council as well as our own IMarEST professional registers.

Alex is also responsible for developing and delivering our other professional services, such as CPD recognition and Certificate of Excellence.

An avid scuba diver, Alex has conducted several research projects on coral reefs in Asia and has since completed 200+ dives.

Nicole Luque

Learning & Development Manager

Responsible for the Institute's learning and development function, Nicole designs and offers a variety of resources to help marine professionals grow in their careers.

In her role as Learning & Development Manger, Nicole regularly works with our volunteers and industry experts to spot skills gaps, develop impactful learning and promote innovative thinking, sustainability and safety.

Nicole's favourite thing about the sea is the varied wildlife.

Jess Buckley

Professional Services Executive

As Professional Services Executive at the IMarEST, Jess supports the academic accreditation process, working with institutions to ensure programmes meet our standards and those of the Engineering Council and Science Council.

Jess coordinates documentation, streamlines workflows, and contributes to maintaining the integrity of marine education.

Jess' favourite thing about the marine industry is simply being near the sea, as nothing beats a long walk along the coast for a reset and fresh perspective.

Lorraine Small

Membership Manager

Lorraine's role is to ensure the successful ongoing management of all individual membership and registration activities.

Lorraine is responsible for ensuring membership processes and procedures are being delivered efficiently and correctly, and that the IMarEST is delivering a high level of customer service to its membership network.

Lorraine's favourite thing about the sea is to sit on her favourite beach in Bournemouth.

Byron Stewart-Reid

Membership Executive

As a Membership Assistant, Byron works across the Membership Team to support both individuals wishing to join the Institute and existing members with their queries, providing clear and timely information.

Byron is also responsible for organising professional review interviews and supporting our Membership Committee and Individual Case Procedure (ICP) Board meetings.

Growing up in the Falklands, Byron used to enjoy the annual raft race held on New Year’s Day in the harbour, where locals would build their own rafts to participate.

Ore Onile-Ere

Membership Assistant

As a Membership Assistant, Ore deals with membership and registration applications, inbound queries from members, and assists with any other needs of the team. Ore also ensures that IMarEST members keep up to date with their continuing professional development (CPD) assessments.

Whilst growing up, Ore enjoyed annual summer trips to Brighton Beach, where she skimmed rocks and swam in the sea with family and friends.

Patrick Carpenter

Head of Marketing & Communications

Patrick leads with all external communications, marketing, brand management and stakeholder engagement for the Institute, focusing on membership and commercial growth, technical content, partnerships and brand development.

Outside of work, Patrick has a passion for travelling with his family and spending time exploring beaches around the world – he has enjoyed swimming (or at least getting his feet wet) in a variety of oceans, seas and lakes around the world.

Sally Jackson

PR & Engagement Manager

With over twenty years experience working with engineering consultancies and environmental organisations, Sally looks after publicity for the IMarEST, promoting the Institute through the media, Institute News, and our blog, IMarEST Voices.

Sally has always loved being around boats, ports and the water. Sally grew up sailing, lived on an icebreaker on the Thames, and now goes paddleboarding and open-water swimming whenever she can.

Harry Williams

Digital Manager

Harry manages the online member and non-member experience, including the development and maintenance of platforms such as imarest.org, IMarEST TV, the Library and IMarEST Connect. He is responsible for ensuring that members can easily access content online and increasing both the reputation of and number of new visitors to imarest.org.

Harry's favourite thing about the ocean environment is the sports, particularly paddle boarding.

Fotios Andrikoulas

Compliance Executive

As a Compliance Executive, Fotios assists with regulatory reviews, facilitating committee meetings, supporting ISO 9001 implementation, conducting internal audits and reviewing documentation to provide recommendations in line with good governance practices.

Fotios often finds peace and inspiration in the sea - its ever-changing colours and serene presence offer a calming contrast to the dynamic nature of professional life.

Paige Ferguson

Events Operations Executive

As Events Operations Executive, Paige helps with the planning and delivery of the Institute's wide range of events, from global conferences to events organised by our branches and Special Interest Groups.

Paige coordinates everything from logistics and registrations to post-event evaluations, working closely with internal teams and international partners.

Paige's favourite thing about the ocean is taking part in water sports.

Jodie O'Connor

Marketing & Communications Executive

Jodie supports IMarEST's communications by creating engaging content across email, social media and our video platforms. Teaming up with departments across the Institute, she works closely with all teams to ensure our members stay up to date with the latest news, opportunities and resources.

Jodie loves that we still have so much to discover about our oceans - less than one-eighth of the estimated 2 million marine species have been identified so far!

Caroline Allison

Technical & Policy Assistant

Caroline supports our Special Interest Groups and facilitates their technical outputs. A key part of Caroline's role is helping our members turn their expertise into real-world impact through policy engagement, particularly within the International Maritime Organization and across various United Nations bodies.

Caroline is also closely involved with our Sea Your Future initiative, guiding and supporting early-career professionals as they navigate their paths into the marine and maritime industries.

Caroline's favourite thing about the ocean is its incredible array of biodiversity, particularly its wildlife.

Neil McGill

Business Development Manager

Neil joined the IMarEST as Business Development Manager in 2024 and manages our corporate membership programme, also leading on business development for other IMarEST products and services by developing long term relationships with key organisations.

Neil brings over 25 years experience in business development and commercial roles for a number of membership organisations, including the Institute of Directors, Recruitment & Employment Confederation and the Royal College of GPs.

The thing Neil enjoys most about the marine industry is how truly global it is and getting to help support the career development of the sector's workforce.

Andrew Wong

Asia Pacific Manager

Andrew joined the IMarEST in 2018 and his primary role is to look for opportunities for the IMarEST to grow in Asia with regards to partnerships, members, and presence.

He finds the blue economy fascinating – humans rely on the ocean in so many ways, yet we have got to know so little about it.

Jie Kai Ong

Professional Services Executive

Jie Kai joined the IMarEST in 2024 and helps in delivering accreditation services across the Asia-Pacific region.

Time at the beach is Jie Kai's favourite reminder of the environment’s importance and the value of protecting it.

Agata Grabowska

Business Development Assistant

Agata joined the IMarEST in 2024 and supports our corporate membership offerings, as well as serving as an account manager for our Marine Members and Partners. Agata's role allows her to connect organisations with valuable resources and opportunities offered by the Institute.

Agata is inspired by the sea – it feels like a vast space full of possibilities, much like the marine industry itself.

Ebru Koch

Business Systems Manager

Managing databases and connected systems for over 12 years, Ebru oversees the Business Systems function at the IMarEST, helping to drive operational efficiency.

Having grown up by the sea, she finds the marine environment deeply calming -  whether she's beneath the waves or walking along the shore.

David Kaizer

Management Accountant

David provides monthly management accounts to the Institute, collaborating with departments to develop budgeting and forecasting, identifying variances to help support decision-making and monitors cashflow to ensure the Institute operates smoothly.

David likes eating fish & chips on the beach, and is always looking forward to his next cruise holiday.

Maureen Murnaghan

Finance Executive

Maureen supports the Finance Team by administering staff payroll, dealing with supplier invoices and handling members' and staff expenses.

Maureen has been scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef where she got to watch the local wildlife swimming, but luckily didn't spot the shark that was watching her.