Discover the Experienced Senior Team here at UKSA

Ben Willows

Chief Executive Officer

Ben Willows is CEO at UK Sailing Academy (UKSA). Prior to this Ben was UKSA’s Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Operations. He first started at UKSA in 1998 as a student and then started work as a watersports instructor. Ben came to UKSA from a dinghy sailing background, sailing on reservoirs in the midlands. Once qualified he worked onboard various high-profile yachts and spent several years teaching and coaching in Australia and the Caribbean, before he moved back to Cowes to work at UKSA’s HQ. He has worked at UKSA for over 20 years. Throughout this time Ben has gained an unrivalled breadth of knowledge about the academy and its facilities.

“I continue to be inspired by our students, many of whom have come from challenging backgrounds. We have seen them turn their lives around and leave UKSA with renewed confidence and with the employment and life skills necessary for a long-term career in the maritime industry. It is a reminder for us all that with encouragement and training, anyone can begin a more positive chapter in their life and look ahead to a rewarding, long-term career.”

Sophie Dear

Director of Sales & Marketing

Sophie is a senior marketing leader with over 20 years of experience in multi-channel marketing, communications, branding, digital strategy, and campaign management. She has a proven track record of building high-performing teams and delivering successful marketing initiatives. As the former Head of Marketing for Alumni and Fundraising at the University of Portsmouth, Sophie developed a deep expertise in driving engagement and fundraising efforts, making her well-versed in aligning marketing strategies with broader organisational goals.

Tim Goulding

Interim Director of Finance & Operations

Tim is a senior finance and technology leader with over 20 years experience across commercial and public sectors.

“My favourite thing at UKSA is when the site is buzzing with children and young people laughing, splashing about, and getting on the water. Hearing the stories of the impact of their time with UKSA is brilliant and inspiring.”

Amy Sweeting

Director of Development & Fundraising

Amy joined UKSA in June 2021 and brings a wealth of knowledge from 10 years’ experience in the fundraising sector. She has built multiple charity funding streams from scratch in several different charities, with a key focus on raising high value income. Amy is a recognised leader in the sector and strives to achieve sustainable income growth, having raised tens of millions of pounds for charities. Amy is Chair of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising’s Major Donor Group and sits on their highly regarded Convention Board. Having moved from London, Amy likes to get out on the water as much as she can now she’s by the sea. She also loves to see the world and has kayaked on every continent. (Amy is currently on maternity leave)

“My absolute favourite thing about working at UKSA is the sound of children’s laughter that constantly surrounds us. It’s inspiring to be part of an organisation that makes such a transformational difference to the lives of children and young people. They learn vital life skills, grow their confidence and, most importantly, they have fun. Having grown up nowhere near the sea, it’s lovely to see the faces of children who are seeing the water for the first time – it’s a genuine joy to come to work every day!”

Chris Frisby

Director of Training

Chris is a high-level RYA coach who has worked in the maritime industry since training on UKSA’s WIT course over 20 years ago. After working for Neilson and Sunsail, he travelled the world running high-end watersports resorts. After this he used his qualifications to set up RYA training centres in Egypt, before running UKSA Australia for two years. He is still passionate about on-the-water activities such as surfing, and is a keen mountain biker.

“UKSA is an incredible organisation. I love to see the positive change that can happen between a child’s first visit here and when they return for a careers programme to train for employment in the maritime industry. UKSA offers such enormous benefits, both physical and psychological, and has such a strong and wide-reaching impact on people’s lives.”

#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

Senior team

Meet our senior team