Meet the team

UKFSC CHAIR

For the last 25 years I have been employed by Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, I'm currently a Watch Manager, Fire Safety Inspector.

I attended the University of Hard Knocks, 8 years HM Forces, with the 1st Battalion, Royal Highland Fusiliers. (1RHF).

In the next 6 months I intend to retire from the Fire Service, marry my longtime partner Charlotte Conolly, buy a yacht, work towards a yacht master qualification and live the dream.

It's my intention to ensure the future of the UKFSC, which I have had the good fortune to be a two-time winning skipper in class. (It’s all down to the crew!).

I’m passionate about Sailing, Skiing and Photography and hope to dedicate more time to these during my retirement.

RACING SECRETARY

I started sailing as a child, at my local club in Cambridgeshire and I have been very lucky that dinghy racing has taken me all over the world. I currently race an RS400 with my husband and a Buzz with my son.

In my spare time, I enjoy coaching dinghy racing and supporting others to get into the sport.

In 2022 I was lucky enough to be invited into the tactician role on the Cambridgeshire boat for the first time. Immediately I realised what an incredible event the UKFSC was and have been a member of the Cambridgeshire team ever since. I am honoured to have been asked to support this worthwhile event and look forward to seeing you all on the water soon.

TREASURER

A lifelong sailor, I started sailing as a tot in my Dad's GK24 on the Menai Straights. When I was six, we moved into dinghy racing which has remained a passion to this day. Having been lucky enough to race and sail many different types of dinghies, my favourite is the RS400.

During my time in the Royal Marines, I was lucky enough to gain my Dinghy Trainers and Powerboat Instructors qualifications and sail around the world for the Navy Sailing Team. Yachting has also always played a strong part in my life, although I must admit, it normally takes the more leisurely form of gentle cruises around the south coast in my wife’s Aunt's Nicholson 35 or a sailing holiday abroad!

With a dream of one day retiring, buying a yacht and sailing off around the world I am currently studying my RYA Yachtmaster when I get the time!

HON. SECRETARY

I am a current serving Firefighter (Control) and Firefighter (On Call) for Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service.

My first sailing experience was in 2022 and first UKFSC in 2023. In my free time I like adventuring, ranging from walking Wainwrights in the Lake District to flying light aircraft from IWM Duxford.

Creative Lead And Photographer

I grew up around sailing spending a lot of time in the Lakes at Bassenthwaite. In more recent years, I've taken on the role of Safety Crew and gained my powerboat level 2, safety boat and first aid qualifications.

By day I'm a graphic designer and freelance photograhper based in Merseyside. I love that I got invited back to UKFSC as it now combines my love of both photography and sailing!

After seven years serving in the Royal Navy, I served 31 years in the London Fire Brigade retiring in 2009. I have been a member of the support crew for UKFSC since 2004 and first sailed in 1995 on the tall ship Sir Malcolm Miller.

Before I took up sailing, I was a sports diver with the London Fire Brigade Sub-Aqua Club.

I’ve been on the support crew since 2008. I’m looking forward to this next event under our new committee. I am a retired London firefighter, 32 years and even a little stint on the Fire Boat. Sailing is a passionate hobby and I’ve sailed just over 3000 Nm this year. Being involved in the support of this event is truly enjoyable. Onwards and upwards.

I retired from the London Fire Brigade in 2008 after 30 years, serving at different stations, including the Fireboat. I live in East Sussex, and have been a team member of the support crew since 2010. In that time, I have seen the UKFSC event grow from strength to strength, and I am pleased to be invited by Mark Couper and his team, to continue in that work.

I enjoy recreational sailing, and look forward to the event each year. Long may it continue.