Please tell us a bit about yourself
After a first career teaching in London, I joined the Royal Navy in 2010 and spent 14 years working as both a navigator and anti-submarine specialist. I left in 2024 and after a chance encounter with one if the TSYT skippers on a canal towpath in London, I jumped at the chance to combine youth work with maritime adventure. I have always sailed, from single handed dinghies to ocean yachts, so the opportunity was too good to pass up. I live on a narrowboat, cruising the waterways of southern England when I’m not at sea sailing.
Please tell us a bit about your role at Tall Ships Youth Trust
I am one of the skippers on the challenge yachts, having started first as a mate and worked through the endorsement process. My role is to plan and execute voyages that balance adventurous sailing with opportunities for our young people to learn about the maritime environment, explore the UK coast, and experience demanding team activities that hopefully encourage them to learn something about themselves in the process.
What has been your most memorable moment at Tall Ships Youth Trust?
The first Empowerment voyage I did, as Mate, was eye-opening. Within days our crew of young people were running the boat like absolute professionals, working as a team and dealing with the challenges of night sailing and long-distance legs. Witnessing that level of leadership and confidence from them was incredible.
What is one thing you think people should know about Tall Ships Youth Trust?
That anyone can achieve a voyage. Because the skippers and mates are trusted to make their own plan, each voyage can be adapted to suit the crew perfectly, so the level of challenge is always perfectly matched to the crew’s abilities and appetite for adventure.
Please describe your job in three words
Fun, floating challenge.
If you were famous, what would you be famous for?
My dog. She is already more famous than me. I’m often introduced simply as Freyja’s dad…
