Our People

Stuart joined the Merchant Navy Welfare Board in December 2021 and is a highly experienced, successful and well-regarded business leader with experience in multinational businesses and international charities. He has had a successful career in Ericsson, rising from a Support Centre Manager to Global Commercial Director, and The Salvation Army where, following 2 years’ residential training, he spent 5 years in church and community leadership.  More recently, Stuart was Chief Executive Officer of Sailors’ Society where he delivered a strong programme of activities around the world supporting the welfare of seafarers and their families. He has previously supported MNWB as a consultant, with a focus on technology projects that support the establishment of welfare boards under the auspices of ILO Maritime Labour Convention, 2006.

Sharon joined the Board in May 2013. She chose to follow the footsteps of both her parents and brother by joining the Merchant Navy in 1993. After spending 4 years at sea with P&O cruises she pursued a career change to work with homeless people suffering with mental illness. She then spent the next 14 years delivering community support and managing accommodation-based support services. Her connection to the maritime community, both professionally and personally, adds a unique depth to her understanding of the challenges faced by seafarers. In her spare time Sharon enjoys listening to music, travelling, trying to play the piano, shooting arrows (badly at a target in the middle of a field!) and walking her beloved Dolly.

Joel joined the Merchant Navy Welfare Board in January 2022 and is the first point of call for all press and media enquiries. Joel is a PR and communications professional with over 10 years’ experience in the media sector. He joins the Board after spells managing the media output for two leading rural organisations – the Country Land & Business Association and the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust. Prior to that, Joel, who trained as a journalist, was Deputy News Editor at the Valley News before joining the Salisbury Journal and later being promoted to sports editor.
He also did freelance sport reporting for BBC Essex, BBC Radio Solent and BBC Radio Wiltshire, and his commentary has featured on Match of The Day. In his spare time, Joel likes to spend time with his young family, play tennis and cheer on the Saints.

Gemma started out as a Customer Assistant at Tesco and spent eight years there before deciding to change career path. She took the plunge and became a Digital Marketing Apprentice, which she completed with Distinction. Wanting to take her skills to a new environment, Gemma was offered the opportunity to join the MNWB, as a Digital Marketing Officer. Right now, Gemma is studying for her CIM Level 4 in Professional and Digital Marketing to keep learning and growing. In her downtime, she loves going to live music events and building Lego.

After graduating from the University of Wales with an Honours Degree in Heritage Conservation and Archaeology, Sarah worked for the National Trust honing her administration rather than digging skills. She then went on to spend a couple of years in the NHS as a Clerical Officer at her local hospital before deciding she needed a change of scenery and joined the Merchant Navy, following in the footsteps of her father and grandfather. Sarah spent 4 years at sea as a Purser with Princess Cruises/P&O Australia before joining the Board in 2009 as Projects Administrator.  She moved to the role of PA & Office Manager in 2014 before being promoted to PWC Manager in 2016.

Alex joined the Merchant Navy Welfare Board in December 2024 as Port Welfare Committee Manager. Prior to this, he worked for a Member of Parliament in Southampton for nine years, undertaking a variety of roles including Caseworker, Communications Manager and Office Manager. Alongside his role with the Board, Alex has been a charity trustee since 2011, a local authority councillor since 2015, and was previously a Governor of Solent University, which includes Warsash Maritime Academy. He is also the proud owner of a Blue Peter Badge.

From school, Helen worked in foreign exchange, commercial, and mercantile banking where she remained until the birth of her sons. Helen then volunteered at her children’s school, and ran a school after-care centre for 200 children for nearly 20 years. During this time, Helen also volunteered in the school finance department, assisting parents with access to school fee subsidies, and was elected Vice Chairman of the school’s Governing Body. Helen then returned to England from South Africa, and worked in a few short-term positions before joining the Board in 2016.

Aiden has spent the majority of his working life in the customer service sector beginning with customer complaints at British Gas. He then changed direction and for the following 10 years was on the staff of a local Hampshire housing association where he became a Lettings Officer. He was responsible for liaising with all the councils across southern England to arrange re-lets of empty properties, as well as working with local agencies responsible for the government’s new homes targets. Primarily targeting small rural schemes, he worked with local parish councils in delivering affordable housing for local people. Aiden joined the Board in April 2017 as Project Administrator.

Hollie joined the Merchant Navy Welfare Board in January 2025 as Executive Assistant. Prior to joining the Board, Hollie was the office manager for a busy car detailing and valeting company in Southampton and has a wealth of experience in administration-based roles. Hollie has a real passion for the Merchant Navy – a sector which is close to her heart with family members having served at sea. Hollie has three children, and her son and daughter currently serve in the forces. In her spare time, Hollie enjoys most forms of exercise, including running having completed the Great South Run last year for charity, socialising, reading, and spending time with her family.