Our Trustees
At UKSA our trustees are made up of highly experienced and knowledgable individuals who support our valuable charity and all our accomplishments.
UKSA is at a pivotal moment in its journey. Guided by our 2025–2030 Strategy, we are seeking inspiring, forward-thinking individuals to join us as Trustees and Sub-Committee Members.
Your leadership will help us unlock potential, champion equality of opportunity, and shape a stronger, more inclusive maritime future.
Every year, UKSA supports over 10,000 children and young people, helping them develop confidence, resilience, purpose, and opportunities through outdoor adventure and professional maritime pathways.
As a Trustee or Sub-Committee Member, you will shape this impact – ensuring young people from all backgrounds can thrive.
Richard Stokes CBE
Richard served 36 years as a Royal Navy Officer, leaving in May 2018 as a Rear Admiral. A submarine weapon engineer by background, his recent responsibilities have included running the UK’s three operational Naval Bases, managing the future nuclear submarine programme, and directing the Navy’s Logistics, Infrastructure, and Engineering Support.
Cath Longhurst
Cath is a leadership coach working with senior leaders, teams and groups across the charity, public and small business sectors. She has more than 20 years’ experience as CEO for EBP South, a charity whose mission is to inspire and prepare young people for the world of work, working closely with schools and businesses across Hampshire. In 2022 she was awarded an Honorary Fellowship from the University of Portsmouth for her work across the community.
Tom Athron
Tom Athron is the Chief Executive Officer of Fortnum & Mason, the UK’s iconic, globally-renowned home of extraordinary food and drink, and has been in the role since joining the business in December 2020.
Tom joined Fortnum & Mason from his previous role at Matchesfashion, where for three years, he held the position of Chief Operating Officer.
James Niall William Denholm
Niall has worked in the Maritime industry in all spheres of port centric operations liaising with ship operators and owners. His career has taken him overseas to work in Southeast Asia for a number of years before returning to the UK. He has just retired as Managing Director of a large shipping and logistics business sited throughout the UK with global interconnectivity.
Shonagh Primrose
Shonagh has built and led a number of high-performing teams in both small, entrepreneurial businesses and established organisations in the consumer sector. Shonagh has always loved the water and enjoys a range of water sports. Always up for a challenge, in 2004 she competed in the Global Challenge Round the World Yacht Race, the world’s toughest amateur yacht race.
David Lister MBE
David is the nephew of UKSA founder, Noel Lister. A husband and father of three, David is a former Olympic rowing coach and was chief coach to the National Women’s Light Weight Rowing Squad in 1990. He has also been a trustee of the Whirlwind Trust for over 10 years. David runs various businesses including management of rental properties, property development, and private yacht charter boats on the Thames.
Alastair Rutter
Alastair is an experienced technology and transformation leader with more than 20 years’ experience helping organisations use digital innovation, data and AI to improve performance, strengthen governance and deliver sustainable growth.
He is currently Group Chief Information Officer at K3 Advisory Group, where he leads technology strategy across a multi-disciplinary professional services organisation.
Alastair is a board-level adviser who brings a strong blend of strategic leadership, commercial focus and technical expertise. He holds a Master’s degree in Information Systems Management, and has been recognised in the CIO 100 for three consecutive years.
Ros Parker, OBE
Ros is a strategic consultant and executive leader with extensive experience in education and organisational leadership.
She was previously the Principal and CEO of the Isle of Wight College and has dedicated her career to creating positive learning environments where young people and adults can thrive, achieve their potential, and build confidence for the future.
Martin Coles, CBE
Following an extensive career in business, Martin moved to focus on launching young people for life through maritime adventure, serving 15 years as Chief Executive of the Marine Society & Sea Cadets until mid – 2025. A Trustee of ASTO and ANSS as well as a Younger Brother of Trinity House, he continues to volunteer with Sea Cadets where he runs a Junior section, is a dinghy, power boat and first aid instructor, and enjoys acting as a relief coxswain on the Sea Cadets tallship TS Royalist.
Martin’s CBE was awarded for services to youth development and seafarers, a passion he brings to the UKSA Board.
Steve Treharne
Steve specialises in Cyber and Information Security, with more than 30 years’ experience supporting Defence, Public Sector and Critical National Infrastructure organisations.
He is currently the Group Chief Information Security Officer for YTL Power International, a diverse multi-utility provider operating across Europe, South-East Asia and beyond.
He is also a keen sailor and has enjoyed participating in many offshore races, including several Fastnet campaigns.
Rod Ashman
Rod has spent the past 9 years leading and advising on large scale transformation programmes and business development in the Defence and Health Sectors in both the UK and the Middle East working with International Companies, Governments and the National Health Service.
Prior to this he was in the Royal Navy for 29 years serving globally on operations and held senior appointments across defence specialising in logistics, acquisition, programme management and resources and planning.