Our Trustees
At UKSA our trustees are made up of highly experienced and knowledgable individuals who support our valuable charity and all our accomplishments.
UKSA is at a pivotal moment in its journey. Guided by our 2025–2030 Strategy, we are seeking inspiring, forward-thinking individuals to join us as Trustees and Sub-Committee Members.
Your leadership will help us unlock potential, champion equality of opportunity, and shape a stronger, more inclusive maritime future.
Every year, UKSA supports over 10,000 children and young people, helping them develop confidence, resilience, purpose, and opportunities through outdoor adventure and professional maritime pathways.
As a Trustee or Sub-Committee Member, you will shape this impact – ensuring young people from all backgrounds can thrive.
Richard Stokes CBE
Richard served 36 years as a Royal Navy Officer, leaving in May 2018 as a Rear Admiral. A submarine weapon engineer by background, his recent responsibilities have included running the UK’s three operational Naval Bases, managing the future nuclear submarine programme, and directing the Navy’s Logistics, Infrastructure, and Engineering Support.
Cath Longhurst
Cath is a leadership coach working with senior leaders, teams and groups across the charity, public and small business sectors. She has more than 20 years’ experience as CEO for EBP South, a charity whose mission is to inspire and prepare young people for the world of work, working closely with schools and businesses across Hampshire. In 2022 she was awarded an Honorary Fellowship from the University of Portsmouth for her work across the community.
Tom Athron
Tom Athron is the Chief Executive Officer of Fortnum & Mason, the UK’s iconic, globally-renowned home of extraordinary food and drink, and has been in the role since joining the business in December 2020.
Tom joined Fortnum & Mason from his previous role at Matchesfashion, where for three years, he held the position of Chief Operating Officer.
David Lister MBE
David is the nephew of UKSA founder, Noel Lister. A husband and father of three, David is a former Olympic rowing coach and was chief coach to the National Women’s Light Weight Rowing Squad in 1990. He has also been a trustee of the Whirlwind Trust for over 10 years. David runs various businesses including management of rental properties, property development, and private yacht charter boats on the Thames.
Samantha Axtell
Sam works as a coach to support leaders and managers to unlock their potential. She gathered experience over twenty-five years leading businesses and working in teams in the corporate and social impact sectors including family-owned businesses, partnerships, entrepreneurial ventures and education. She has been a Governor of the Skinners’ Kent Academy.
James Niall William Denholm
Niall has worked in the Maritime industry in all spheres of port centric operations liaising with ship operators and owners. His career has taken him overseas to work in Southeast Asia for a number of years before returning to the UK. He has just retired as Managing Director of a large shipping and logistics business sited throughout the UK with global interconnectivity.
Shonagh Primrose
Shonagh has built and led a number of high-performing teams in both small, entrepreneurial businesses and established organisations in the consumer sector. Shonagh has always loved the water and enjoys a range of water sports. Always up for a challenge, in 2004 she competed in the Global Challenge Round the World Yacht Race, the world’s toughest amateur yacht race.
Claire Sunderland Hay
Claire Sunderland Hay is Head of Corporate Risk at Visa Europe, a regulated payments company with operations across 38 countries in Europe. Prior to this she was Chief of Staff at Visa Europe and spent 9 and a half years at the Bank of England in a variety of roles spanning policy making, firm oversight, FinTech and Chief of Staff to the Deputy Governor. Claire is also a governor at a primary school where she chairs the Pay and Admissions Committees. She is also a qualified accountant.
Rachel Kitley
Rachel Kitley is the Principal of Cowes Enterprise College. Rachel is an experienced head and under her leadership the academy has been recognised for its innovative approach to developing maritime careers knowledge and skills, including by the Minister for Academies for the government and the Permanent Secretary for Education.