FALMOUTH HARBOUR - Key Persons
Adrian retired from the Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service in April 2016, having completed 30 years of service and achieving the rank of Chief Fire Officer. More recently, he has held the position of Non Executive Director with Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CFT), where he is Chair of the Audit Committee. Adrian has been a Senior Independent Director for CFT for the last 18 months. Adrian joined the Board in January 2019 and lives in Truro.
Andrew is land manager and business owner outside Bodmin. He brings a diverse view on the workings of business with specific interest in diversification and enhancement. He currently holds posts with the Country Land and Business Association and the Cornwall Agri-Food Council. Andrew joined the Board in July 2019.
Andy and his team are responsible for the maintenance of our moorings and all things marine.
Carrie has more than 30 years of human resources and management experience and has worked in a variety of different industries including retail, brewing, IT, leisure, banking & financial services. She has held Director/Board positions since 1996. Carrie lives in Mawnan Smith and works as a HR consultant.
Chris has a wealth of knowledge of the marine sector and marine technology developments, particularly floating offshore wind. Chris understands key business processes including financial management, technology potential, marketing, funding, operations and HR. Chris is familiar with the local business sector and economy networks and has a passion for all things maritime and Cornwall.
Daisy's role is to welcome customers to the harbour and assist with any requirements they may have. Daisy's love of the sea at an early age led to a degree in Marine and Natural History Photography. Daisy is a keen scuba diver and she has travelled and worked as part of a turtle and shark research team around Bali. Daisy enjoys hiking around the local coastline, enjoying the natural environment and photographing Cornwall.
David oversees our Grove Place Boatyard operations, for annual customers, business tenants and visitors, alike. David has always had an interest in boats and being out on the water and has enjoyed ten consecutive years sailing at Cowes Regatta on The Isle of Wight, not only racing, but managing invited clients, ensuring they had a safe day sailing, and a fun time out on the water. When not at work David loves to be out on the mountain bike trails, or cruising around the lanes of Cornwall on his motorcycle.
A native of Cornwall, Dave has extensive experience in local government, government agencies and the private sector working in the fields of planning, flooding, pollution, environmental and emergency management. A racing sailor for 40 years he has played key roles in Flushing Sailing Club and sailed in some 30 Falmouth Weeks.
Don worked in education for the whole of his working life as a teacher, local and government education adviser and self-employed consultant. He taught sailing for 28 years and established four RYA teaching establishments. He has served on two sailing club committees as bosun and Rear Commodore Sailing. He has owned yachts for forty years and currently owns a traditionally built 27' gaff cutter. He is currently Vice Chair and Director of Falmouth Classics Association Ltd, Deputy Station Manager and Training Manager at Nare Point Coastwatch Station and has an interest in a local boatyard.
A native of Falmouth, Neil held senior appointments in the MoD culminating in spearheading business transformation of the R&D labs prior to privatisation and subsequent stock market flotation. A life-long sailor himself, since retiring in 2009 he has played a lead in organising major sailing events.
Elise Vooght Harbour Officer Elise's role as Harbour Officer is to assist with a broad range of day-to-day tasks to support the team, including providing an on-water presence to promote safe use of the harbour. elise@falmouthharbour.co.uk
Elizabeth joined as Finance Manager in June 2023 and comes from a finance / consultancy background having run her own business for many years with several high profile international clients.
She is originally from Sydney and loves the beach life the south west offers.
Where bye-laws, directions or other regulations related to marine safety apply, Falmouth Harbour has a policy to enforce these so as to encourage those responsible for the navigation of vessels to do so safely and responsibly. FHC commission operates various vessels to undertake this task and we are currently developing a page to showcase this fleet.
Gerald is a proud Cornishman with extensive knowledge of the commercial shipping industry, Gerald Pitts enjoyed a successful 46-year career with A&P including stints as MD of A&P Falmouth and MD of A&P Defence.
In his role as a Falmouth Harbour Commissioner Gerald feels he will be able to combine his extensive knowledge and experience of the commercial shipping world with a lifelong connection with Cornwall in general and Falmouth in particular - providing valuable input and support to the harbour stakeholders and the wider marine community.
Job Titles:
- Company Secretary
- Head of Commercial Operations
Holly Manvell is a qualified company secretary with a background in legal and business from small start-ups to listed companies. She is also an experienced yachtswoman who founded the global not-for-profit organisations Clean Sailors and Cleaner Marinas. Holly's strategic focus is on the longer-term growth for Falmouth Harbour - working closely with CEO, Miles, to generate new, profitable, innovative business streams and projects. She is also tasked with improving customer services and the range of Harbour services for our various local and international stakeholders.
Ifor is Deputy Harbour Master after previously serving as Assistant Harbour Master (Operations) and on the Pilot Boats. In his role, Ifor has responsibility for the Pilot Boats and crews as well as supporting the Harbour Master with port marine safety. Ifor has a background in Operations Management and has a Masters Degree in Business. A keen yachtsman, Ifor has competed in international sailing events and lives aboard his trawler yacht in Falmouth.
Joe joined us in January 2024 and his role is to oversee the safe and efficient management of our mooring assets. Joe has experience in a wide range of watersports including sailing, motor boating, wake-boarding, kayaking and he is a keen sea angler.
John has had over 30 years' experience working in a variety of fields from water utilities, energy, media, telecoms and most recently financial services where he was Chief Operating Officer. John has lived in Falmouth for over 20 years and is an enthusiastic kayaker and open water swimmer.
Having lived in the Midlands all her life, Kathryn has recently relocated to Falmouth with her Cornish husband. Kathryn has extensive PA/Executive Support experience and is enjoying her role working with the CEO and the Board at FHC.
Mark retired from his role as a solicitor with Stephens Scown of Truro in April 2023. Mark brings an abundance of business planning experience to the role. He currently holds the post of Honorary Solicitor of the Royal Cornwall Agricultural Society. Mark joined the Board in January 2017.
Miles joined FHC as CEO in 2021. Miles' background before joining FHC includes; property, economic development, marketing, trade and investment and the aviation, aerospace and space industries. Miles lives locally in St Mawes and has over 40 years of sailing experience in the port. As Chief Executive, Miles is a member of the Board and is responsible for the sustainable growth of Falmouth Harbour, management and development of the Organisation.
Miles was appointed in July 2023 following the retirement of our previous Harbour Master. Miles worked for 10 and half years at the Port of London Authority (PLA) on the River Thames. Miles started as a Marine Trainee and finished as Deputy Harbour Master. During this time Miles obtained his UK Harbour Master Certificate and managed the pilot cutter, cruise and naval visits and major events including New Year's Eve and the Oxford/Cambridge Boat Race amongst other duties.
Natasha joined the Board in January 2024 and brings 20 years' experience in the environment and ecology fields. Natasha is Managing Director at Cornwall Environmental Consultants Ltd - the commercial arm of the Cornwall Wildlife Trust- Natasha has spent her time there growing the business to be consistently profitable, whilst continuing to offer high quality environmental advice.
As a keen competitive dinghy sailor from a young age, and realising a passion for boats, Steve has had many varied roles in the marine industry including; apprentice boat builder when leaving school, running his own boat building and repair business working around the world, working in the water sports industry and becoming Principal of an RYA approved water sports centre, studying as a mature student to achieve a BSc (Hons) to become a Small Craft and Yacht Surveyor, working in education to develop apprenticeship programmes with a large manufacturer of motor yachts on the South Coast. Steve has been in Cornwall for around 13 years working for The Cornwall College Group for the last 5 and becoming Head of Falmouth Marine School in 2020. Steve is passionate about the sea, the environment and developing local links to business.
Job Titles:
- Leisure Coordinator
- Leisure Team Coordinator
As Leisure Team Coordinator, Sue provides a critical role in keeping Falmouth Harbour's Leisure Team running efficiently and safely and supports our required high levels of customer service. Boating is a big part of Sue's family history. Her father, grandfather and uncle were oystermen plying their trade in the Fal, making Sue the third generation of Falmouth Working Boat sailors. Sue and her husband occasionally take to the water in their boat, catching some rays of sunshine and the occasional fish.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Harbour Master ( Conservancy )
Tim took over as Assistant Harbour Master in March 2021 and is responsible for the Conservancy function of Falmouth Harbour Commissioners. Tim is a keen sailor having cruised the south coast all his life and has worked away on larger sailboats for a number of years before joining FHC. He holds a BSc Hons in Environmental Science is interested in providing sustainable solutions moving forward.
Tom holds over 15 years' experience in commercial shipping and the operation and management of work boats. He is responsible for day to day pilot boat operations and acts as a first point of contact for commercial stakeholders. Tom is also a keen yacht racer and has competed with success at large regattas throughout the UK, Europe and the Caribbean. Tom is a graduate of the University of Exeter.
Tristan grew up on Mylor Yacht Harbour and has spent his life on the waters around Falmouth, in Optimists to 100m Superyachts and everything in between. Tristan is a keen cruising sailor and passionate about Falmouth Harbour being a welcoming and accessible port for all to enjoy. He has over 20 years' experience in the marine leisure industry and is currently the After Sales Director for Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding.
Job Titles:
- Environment and Quality Systems Manager
Vicki is the Environment and Quality Systems Manager responsible for developing and maintaining the organisations integrated management system. She has always been inspired and fascinated by the marine environment. Vicki studied Marine Zoology at University and found that she wanted to understand more about human impacts and how these can be mitigated. She is motivated to continuously develop ideas and work collaboratively with colleagues and wider stakeholders to find solutions and opportunities to lead and advocate for change to make a positive impact on the environment and communities.
Victoria is a lecturer in marine ecology and conservation at the University of Exeter's Penryn campus. My research and professional career has been focused on marine ecology and conservation, focusing on the how mobile marine species interact with their environments using animal attached technologies, particularly jellyfish, turtles and fish. Victoria was previously the marine biologist for the UKHO and is currently a committee member of the Cornwall Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority.