Our Senior Team
UKSA is led by a senior team with a wealth of knowledge in both the charity sector and the world of sailing and watersports.
Catherine Dixon
Catherine (Cat) Dixon is an experienced CEO, solicitor, mediator, and a world record holder. Cat is currently the CEO of UKSA and has served as the CEO of the Law Society of England and Wales, NHS Resolution, a University College (Askham Bryan) and Ciarb (Chartered Institute of Arbitrators), and has held General Counsel and Legal Director role at NSPCC and BUPA.
Cat began her career as a solicitor and has been a trustee on various boards, including Stonewall as its Chair, CEDR (Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution), LawWorks and the National Pro Bono Centre, the PDSA, QC (KC) and Judicial Appointments, Yorkshire and Humber LEP, Higher York, the Open University (International Advisory Board), IFCAI (International Federation of Commercial Arbitration Centres) and at the International Bar Association.
Cat was an officer in the British Army (Royal Corp of Signals) and holds the world record for the fastest circumnavigation of the globe on a tandem bicycle which she set in 2020.
Amy Sweeting
Chris Frisby
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.
Claire Imhofe
Claire Imhofe is a qualified Chartered Accountant and accomplished finance and operations leader with over 25 years’ experience across the charitable and commercial sectors. She brings extensive expertise in strategic financial leadership, operational management, business transformation, acquisitions, project lifecycle accounting, organisational growth, and held Company Directorship positions.
Prior to joining UKSA as Chief Financial Officer, Claire served as Group Finance Director at an education and apprenticeship company – Real Group Ltd; has held senior finance and operations roles prior to this with a number of charities, incl. the National Trust, and worked with big Pharma GSK for 15 years. Throughout her career, she has successfully partnered with boards, trustees, and executive teams to strengthen financial performance, improve operational effectiveness, and support the delivery of ambitious strategic objectives.
Claire is passionate about using financial insight to create sustainable organisations and is committed to supporting UKSA’s mission to inspire and enable young people through the life-changing power of the sea.
Lesley Benning
Lesley Benning is an experienced marketing and communications leader with more than 20 years’ experience spanning professional services, membership organisations and consultancy. She brings extensive expertise in strategic marketing, brand development, communications, stakeholder engagement and business growth, with a strong track record of helping organisations strengthen their profile and connect effectively with their audiences.
Prior to joining UKSA as Director of Marketing and Sales, Lesley held roles with EY and EY Seren, following almost three years as Senior Manager for Marketing and Communications, Europe, at the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. Her earlier career also includes extensive experience across marketing and communications, supported by postgraduate qualifications in European Marketing and Digital Marketing.
Lesley is passionate about creating clear, purposeful marketing strategies that deliver meaningful results. At UKSA, she leads the organisation’s marketing and sales activity, helping to grow awareness, reach new audiences and support UKSA’s mission to inspire and enable people through the life-changing power of the sea.