Meet the UKSA Course Advisory Team

Morgan Strange

Course Advisor Manager

After 16 years as a course advisor at UKSA, there is nothing that Morgan doesn’t know about maritime training! His extensive knowledge of the industry and understanding of marine recruitment requirements enables him to help students find the right course(s) and give best advice on the different career options available.

In addition to loving UKSA, Morgan loves chocolate cake and can occasionally be found at his desk munching on a slice for breakfast.

“One of the best things about my job is seeing a young person who first came to us on a one week Sea.Change programme, progress through our pathways and end up onboard a superyacht. Each year we are seeing more and more young people join us as Further Education students and continue on to further UKSA training as Yachtmasters and Cadets.”

Claire Scholes

Senior Course Advisor

After a successful career as a watersports instructor Claire knew she wanted to work behind the scenes helping aspiring instructors take their first steps and decided that UKSA was the perfect place to do that. Claire’s amazing customer service skills means that she dedicates her time to advising students from 16+ to pursue a career within the watersports and maritime industry.

She has kept up her own qualifications and occasionally gets out onto the water to teach – you might recognise her as the instructor with the biggest smile on her face!

“Having worked in the industry for six years, working my way up from kayak and dinghy instructor to centre senior supporting the management team, I have lived and breathed the instructor life and can share everything you need to know about the industry!”

Poppy Lee

Careers Course Advisor

Poppy has a natural affinity for the sea. When she is not at UKSA she can be found in the ocean on some form of watercraft! With a background in sales, she finds it highly rewarding to guide prospective students into a career they are passionate about.

A qualified yoga teacher, Poppy exudes tranquility and calm. She has just started teaching yoga at UKSA and if you train with us, you can enjoy one of her Wednesday evening classes for free!

“What I love about UKSA is the ethos to make maritime training accessible to everyone and how it broadens the horizons of young people. From our Dinghy Minis to our Sea.Change Foundation programmes; students from all ages and backgrounds enjoy our courses and benefit from the progressive pathways we make available for them.”

Alex France

MCA & Apprenticeship Training Adviser

Alex advises students on UKSA’s wide range of MCA courses and our maritime industry apprenticeships. His aim is to make career development as effective and easy as possible. Working with our instructor teams, he works tirelessly to ensure MCA students enjoy a great experience during their time at UKSA.

Alex spends his weekends climbing very big hills and playing golf. The office have learned not to get excited when he starts talking about ‘tea time …’

“I love the range and diversity of students that we see at UKSA. You get to meet so many interesting people, all at different stages of their journey. You can be chatting to the captain of a superyacht, then turn around to meet a junior steward/ess just embarking on the first stage of their training. It’s a great networking opportunity for all our students – and many a job has been brokered in the UKSA coffee shop!”

#SeaChangeStories

I continue to be inspired by our students, some of whom have come from challenging backgrounds, and we have seen them turn their lives around and leave UKSA with new work and life skills that will set them up for a long-term career in the maritime industry.

It is a good reminder for us all that with the right encouragement and training, anyone can begin a new chapter and look ahead to a rewarding, long-term career.

Ben Willows -UKSA Chief Executive

Course advisors

Meet our course advisory team