Published on: 22 June 2023
British Marine has announced the appointment of three non-executive directors who will join the board from 20 July 2023. The opportunity to be part of the Board of British Marine attracted a number of high-quality and experienced applicants, and the successful appointees – Ashley Highfield, Paul Martin and Lyndsay McClay – gained the highest number of votes cast by members of British Marine Council, representing the trade body’s membership.
Ashley Highfield is now CEO of Oyster Yachts, having been chair of its board for the last five years. With a background in media and technology, he brings extensive external experience to British Marine with previous roles including CEO of Johnston Press, managing director and vice president consumer and online UK at Microsoft, and director of new media and technology at the BBC where he launched the iPlayer streaming service. His expertise includes non-executive director roles managing reputation, corporate and social responsibility, and lobbying for trade bodies as a board member for the News Media Association and British Film Institute. Asked about his appointment, Highfield said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been appointed to the British Marine board as a non-executive director. As CEO of thoroughbred British sailing yacht manufacturer Oyster Yachts, I hope to bring valuable insights, opportunities and the common challenges of the marine industry to the table, whilst contributing with my experience to help accelerate innovation in the sector.”
Paul Martin is well-known within the marine industry, having spent over 25 years at the helm of BHG Marine, his family business. After it was successfully sold he joined First Peninsula, specialists in the sale and acquisition of marine companies in the UK as associate director. Paul has extensive non-executive director experience, having previously sat on British Marine’s National Boat Shows Board and Management Board. He is currently chair of the Marine Trades Association (MTA) and chair of BM National Conference working group. His return to the board brings a valuable depth of knowledge and experience both as a company owner member who understands the importance of successful boat shows and events, and with detailed knowledge of British Marine, its associations and working groups. Martin said: “I’m pleased to be returning to the board to provide input on the work still to be done. I love the task of guiding and working through issues that arise. I’m not phased by making difficult decisions, and as a board member, I know when to give support but also to challenge when required.”
Lyndsay McClay is the commercial manager for Marine Industry News, with over eight years’ experience of delivering print and digital sales and marketing solutions to all areas of the marine sector. Lyndsay is well-known and highly respected within British Marine membership as the chair of British Marine South, and is also extensively involved with the Marine Trades Association. Her passion and enthusiasm for supporting and developing British Marine membership includes active roles on key sector groups including Women In Marine, Membership and Youth engagement, and the National Conference. “The marine industry is a wonderful industry,” said McClay, “I’m hugely passionate about supporting its future development. I see my role on British Marine board as a way to support members and ensure we deliver the key services and benefits they require from their membership.”
Chair of the board, Matthew Beckwith said: “We are delighted to welcome Ashley, Lyndsay and Paul. They bring strategic thinking, marketing prowess, financial acumen, and exceptional leadership abilities to the Board, and with their extensive experience in exhibition, communications and marketing domains, they offer a deep understanding of industry trends and best practices. Their wealth of knowledge and expertise will significantly enhance our current board’s capabilities, and help us drive innovation, achieve sustainable growth, and excel in meeting the evolving needs of our stakeholders.”
Highfield, Martin and McClay are appointed for three years with the option of a second three-year term. They join nine other non-executive directors on the board, bringing the total to its maximum allowance of 12, plus British Marine CEO Lesley Robinson.