Staff

The team are central to our organisation
and what we stand for:

Sharon Coveney - Deputy Chief Executive

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 accommodation based support services. Her last role included the management and service delivery of 8 supported housing projects for care leavers, homeless pregnant teenagers, single homeless and mental health / dual diagnosis. Sharon describes herself as having a natural empathy towards people and a “can do” attitude. Her mother lived at the Merchant Seaman’s War Memorial Society (now known as Care Ashore) for over 20 years. This, she says, has given her a thorough awareness of the issues that seafarers may face as well as personal experience of a maritime charity that provides accommodation and support.

Sarah Edward - Port Welfare Committee Manager

After graduating from the University of Wales with an Honours Degree in Heritage Conservation and Archaeology, Sarah went on to work for the National Trust honing her administration rather than digging skills. After a stint in the NHS as a Clerical Officer, Sarah decided she needed a change of scenery and joined the Merchant Navy. She spent 4 years at sea as a Purser with Princess Cruises before joining the Board in 2009.

Helen van Gass - Training & Welfare Manager

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.

Celia Jackson - Executive Assistant & Office Manager 

Prior to joining the Merchant Navy Welfare Board, Celia worked as a Chief Stewardess on Superyachts. Her work enabled her to travel the world but after more than eight years at sea she relocated to Southampton looking for a better work-life balance. Celia was excited to join the Board in 2018 in a role where she has been able to put to good use her organisational skills and thoroughly enjoys the variety of her work at the Board as Peter’s Executive Assistant. She also brings to the Board a strong empathy and understanding of some of the challenges facing today’s seafarers. Prior to yachting, Celia worked in recruitment advertising after graduating from University with a BA Hons in French and Spanish.