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MNWB staff backgrounds
The team are central to our organisation and what we stand for:
David Parsons – Chief Executive
David Parsons joined the Merchant Navy in 1964 following three years aboard the Training Ship ‘Mercury’. He spent his first six years with Shaw Savill & Albion Line on the Australia and New Zealand trades. In 1971 he joined the Royal Fleet Auxiliary where he remained until 1977. His last sixteen years at sea were spent on P&O Ferries (formerly Thoresen Car Ferries) sailing out of Portsmouth where he attained the rank of master. Since 1993 he has worked as General Secretary of the Merchant Navy Welfare Board, firstly in London at the former Merchant Navy Hotel and latterly in Southampton. He is a member of Council for King George’s Fund for Sailors and the Presidium of the International Committee on Seafarers’ Welfare.
Peter Tomlin MBE – Deputy Chief Executive
Peter joined the Merchant Navy Welfare Board having served 26 years in the Royal Navy, from ‘boy’ seaman to Lieutenant Commander. A Seaman Officer and Physical Training & Recreation Officer specialist, he served in numerous ships ranging from fishery protection vessels to several frigates and was also Deputy Queen’s Harbour Master in Gibraltar. Throughout his career he has been heavily involved in seafarers’ welfare activities and was awarded an MBE for his charitable endeavours.
Helen Bambrough – Port Welfare Administrator
Helen brings to the Board over 30 years experience gained in office administration and management, mainly in an HR or Training capacity with large, national companies. She passed her Certificate in Management at the Bournemouth and Poole College of Professional Studies along with many ‘in house’ company training programmes. Helen is the Port Welfare Administrator of the seventeen MNWB Port Welfare Committees and represents the Board at their meetings around the UK.
Emma Rollett – PA to the Chief Executive
Having graduated from Exeter University with a Joint Honours Degree in Spanish and Italian, Emma went on to Secretarial College for a period of 6 months in order to widen her career prospects. Emma joined the Merchant Navy Welfare Board in January 2003 following working for the Crown Prosecution Service as a Secretarial Assistant. Previous to that role, Emma worked for a business Development & Training Company where she was Executive PA to the Chief Executive. She is Health & Safety Manager for the Merchant Navy Welfare Board and has recently undergone training for this purpose.
Sally Oliver – Welfare and Training Administrator
Having completed a full year at Secretarial College, Sally joined a major Finance Company where she worked as a typist. She later worked as a Care Manager, specialising in domiciliary care. After completion of a year’s study with the Institute of Welfare Officers Sally gained a qualifying certificate. She has over 10 years of extensive training and experience within the Social Services. She joined the Board in July 2006 where she works as a Welfare & Training Administrator.
Rebecca Earl – Secretarial Assistant
Rebecca has worked for several years in an educational environment both at a local college and at a leading university where she has gained a great deal of administrative knowledge and experience. Rebecca joined the Board as a Secretarial Assistant in January 2007.