From the Desk of... the Chair of the Board of Trustees
I trust this message finds you all in good health and high spirits. For those in the northern hemisphere, I hope you had a rejuvenating summer, while those in the southern hemisphere are eagerly anticipating the arrival of a promising spring and summer. I would like to take this opportunity to provide you with some significant updates on governance matters within our Institute, as we embark on an exciting journey of transformation and renewal.
Board of Trustee membership
Our Institute is governed by a dedicated team of 16 Trustees, including our esteemed Officers, elected Council members, and a select group of appointed trustees. I am pleased to introduce two distinguished new Non-Council Trustees who have recently joined our ranks:
Christy Farrer, MBA
Christy serves as the Director of Practice Management at CMS, a renowned law firm. With a distinguished career marked by change management and business expertise, her addition to our board promises fresh insights and strategic direction.
Professor Ed Hill, CBE
Ed holds the position of Chief Executive Officer at the UK's National Oceanography Centre. His extensive research background in physical oceanography, coupled with his participation in numerous research expeditions, adds invaluable depth to our leadership team.
They join our other Non-Council Trustee and Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees, Rachel Nicholls-Lee. Furthermore, we have recently appointed another exceptional Non-Council Trustee, Mrs. Sarah Grimshaw, who brings substantial executive HR experience from BAES Surface Ships. Their collective expertise will undoubtedly contribute to our Institute's success.
In addition to our new Non-Council Trustees, we are fortunate to have a dedicated group of elected Council Trustees who play a vital role in shaping the future of our Institute. They are:
Dr. Parviz Sangin
Professor Chris Hodge
Professor Stephen de Mora
Dr. Sajid Hussain
Adthisaya Ganesen Manickam
Frank Mungo
Philip Parvin
Kaushik Roy
I extend a warm welcome to all our new Trustees and express my excitement about the diversity and breadth of experience they bring to our team. Together, we are committed to charting a course that will not only benefit our members but also advance our charitable mission.
2023-2025 Strategy
At our last Annual General Meeting (AGM), I unveiled the new IMarEST strategy—a strategy crucial for our role in the marine sector's future. With our overarching vision of becoming the trusted voice and global community for marine professionals, we are committed to leading the way in shaping a sustainable world. Our strategic plan for 2025 revolves around six key themes:
Membership experience
Community and member engagement
Technical leadership
Growth through innovation
Public profile and communications
Operational excellence
View the IMarEST's 2023-2025 Strategic Plan.
Council structure and duties
Moreover, we are implementing changes to strengthen our Council and empower our members and branches. The Board of Trustees has officially delegated Council with implementing our Charitable Purpose, specific aspects of Operational Management, current strategy delivery, and managing relationships with members, Branches, and other bodies. To ensure continuity, we have established a Vice-Chair of Council, elected by the council to serve a three-year term, assisting the President in running the Council.
The Council Executive Committee (CEC) has also been formed, comprising the President (as Chair of the Council) , Vice-Chair, Chairs of the Council Committees, President Elect, Immediate Past President, and Delegates to the Engineering and Science Council. The CEC, chaired by the Vice-Chair of Council, will be responsible for Council governance, output management, and reporting to the Board of Trustees.
In all of this, the relationships are important and the officers of the Institute, myself, Honorary Treasurer, and the Presidential Team meet regularly. The Presidential Team, including the Vice-Chair of Council, meet regularly to co-ordinate representing the Institute and moving the strategy and council forward.
Executive update
Lastly, I would like to share some bittersweet news. Our Chief Executive, Gwynne Lewis, has announced his retirement in the New Year. Gwynne has been an exceptional CEO, serving with dedication since mid-2020. Under his leadership, we have witnessed remarkable achievements, including the recruitment of a talented executive team, the successful implementation of new IT infrastructure, and the sale of our shares in MLA College Ltd. Gwynne's instrumental role in revitalising our Institute's finances and fostering operational excellence cannot be understated. The Trustees express our heartfelt gratitude for his contributions and wish him a fulfilling and well-deserved retirement. Gwynne will remain in his CEO role until his successor assumes office, ensuring a seamless transition.
We are pleased to introduce our incoming Chief Executive, Chris Goldsworthy, a Fellow of the IMarEST and former Cyprus Branch Chair. Chris embarked on his career as an Engineer Cadet with P&O Containers, where he spent 16 years, ultimately achieving the rank of Chief Engineer Officer. His transition to shore-based roles began in 2005 as a Technical Superintendent, and his journey led him to technical and fleet management positions. Throughout his career, he has overseen diverse fleets, nurtured strong teams, and provided strategic leadership to boards and executives, exemplifying his technical acumen and leadership prowess.
As we move forward, we remain committed to your continued growth and development as marine professionals. Together, we will shape a brighter and more sustainable future for the marine sector.
Warm regards,
Kevin Daffey
Chair of the Board of Trustees, IMarEST