Stuart commenced his Merchant Navy career in 1975 serving on a wide variety of vessels from oil tankers to ferries
before diversifying into the world of superyachts. Joined Cowes Harbour Commission in 1997 and was appointed to
Harbour Master/Chief Executive in 1999.
DAVID RILEY
Chairman, 1st term
Appointed 2009, 3rd term 2015-2018
David Riley is a partner in a firm of chartered accountants and is a Director of an international association of professional
firms. A keen racing sailor, David grew up on the East Coast and having kept a boat here for 28 years has been a Cowes
resident since 2003.
JEFF ARMITAGE
Deputy Chairman, appointed July 2016 for term of 1 year / Marine Services & Business Development
Appointed 2010, 3rd term 2016-2019
Jeff is currently managing a large aerospace business in The Netherlands. He brings skills in general business
management and development, complemented with experience of dealing with local authorities, development agencies
and government bodies. He is a qualified pilot and aircraft owner, regularly flying himself on business. He has been a
West Cowes resident for the last 30 years.
JONATHAN GILLESPIE
Safety & Security
Appointed 2015
Jo has a long history with Cowes Harbour having grown up by the River Medina. He spent over 30 years as a pilot in
military and commercial aviation. In 2005 he returned to the Island and now lives in Cowes from where he dry sails a
sports boat. Jo has extensive experience in aviation safety and risk management and provides worldwide consultancy
and training in this field through his own company and as Director and Senior Safety Consultant for a City of London
based aviation services business.
ANDREW COOPER
Strategy & Performance
Appointed 2014, 2nd term 2017-2020
CAPTAIN STUART MCINTOSH
Harbour Master / Chief Executive
Following 35 years of public service in the Royal Navy and Foreign Office, with the last six years in the private sector at an
aerospace and defence company, Andrew brings considerable experience in maritime safety to his new role. He resides in
Cowes and has enjoyed a close association with the harbour as a yachtsman and power boater for over 40 years.
CHRISTOPHER PRESTON
Stakeholder Relations / Port Development
Appointed 2015
Chris has visited Cowes regularly since 1969, competed at many Cowes Weeks and other regattas, and has now made
Cowes his home. He has considerable experience in the marine industry, in organising yachting projects, and business
strategy. Currently, he is Director of Preston Capital Partners, providing advisory and consultancy services to private and
institutional clients.
MICHAEL GREVILLE
Governance & Regulatory
Appointed 2016
Michael practised as a solicitor in an international law firm in London for 27 years, specialising in shipping and
construction law, until he retired in 2015. He is an experienced racing yachtsman who has based himself in Cowes for
over 16 years, and is a former Commodore of the Royal Ocean Racing Club.
ROY LAMBDEN
Financial Management
Appointed 2016
Roy had a 30-year career in the City working in various areas of finance around the world. He is now a director of a
Cowes-based sailing business. Resident in Cowes for the past 11 years he is a keen sailor and keeps his boat in Cowes.
Roy brings project management, business management and finance skills to the Commission. He has also spent 15
years as a retained fire fighter and 10 years as an emergency first responder.
NICK ELDERFIELD
Conservation & Environment / Personnel Management
Appointed 2017
Nick is the Managing Director of a Southampton-based coastal and maritime consultancy firm. As a Chartered Engineer with over
15 years’ experience in the UK, Middle East and Australia, his oceanography background provides a detailed understanding of the
key drivers in the marine environment. In his present role, he is often involved in developing outcome-focused projects, through
effective communication with key parties from technical specialists to wider stakeholder groups. As an Islander who moved off and
has returned, he cherishes the unique opportunities living on and working off the Island provides.
RA HENNESSY
Communications & Marketing
Appointed 2017
With over 20 years’ experience in marketing and new product development gained in companies and organisations
including Guinness (Diageo), BNP Paribas, the RAC and McCormick. Ra is currently in charge of marketing for Ryde School, the
independent day and boarding school on the Island. Ra started to visit the Island and commenced sailing in Cowes in 2011, finally
moving to the Island permanently in 2014. Ra and her family continue to be part of the sailing community in Cowes and she brings
marketing experience from many diverse industries.
Annual Report 2016 - 2017
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