Taking the helm
Meet our board of trustees
The Society is fortunate to have an excellent Board of Trustees with a wide range of knowledge, experience and expertise.
Philip Wake OBE
Chairman
Philip Wake OBE
Chairman
Philip served at sea in the Merchant Navy for 11 years before moving ashore, where he became a Director at Clarkson Research Studies and later Chief Executive of The Nautical Institute. He also served in the Royal Naval Reserve for 26 years and is currently, in retirement, the part-time Business Manager for a residential music course.
Philip is Chairman of our Society, a Vice President of the RNLI, and a Younger Brother of Trinity House, London. He was awarded the OBE in the 2016 New Year’s Honours List for services to the maritime industry.
Captain Steve Clinch MNM
Vice Chairman
Captain Steve Clinch MNM
Vice Chairman
Steve has been a Trustee of the Society since 2018 and serves as Vice Chairman of the Board. He brings over 50 years of experience in the maritime sector, including his role as former Head of the UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch.
Steve is committed to maintaining the Society’s proud legacy of care for retired seafarers. He sits on the Finance and Investments Committees, as well as the Fundraising Sub-Committee. Outside of the Society, Steve balances maritime voluntary work with grandparent duties.
Mr Bernie Watson FCA DChA
Honorary Treasurer
Mr Bernie Watson FCA DChA
Honorary Treasurer
Bernie spent over 30 years as a partner at London accountancy firm HaysMac, including 12 years as Managing Partner. He later specialised in the not-for-profit sector, working with many charities – including Royal Alfred – as a trusted advisor.
Since retiring in 2018, Bernie has held the position of Finance Trustee across five charities and became our Honorary Treasurer in May 2019.
Captain Adrian McCourt MNM
Captain Adrian McCourt MNM
Adrian has spent over 50 years in and around merchant ships, progressing from life at sea to senior roles in fleet management, the superyacht sector, and marine insurance.
He has been a Trustee of the Society since 2015 and says, “The sea has been good to me, and I’d like to give something back. I can’t think of a more deserving maritime cause – it’s a privilege to serve at Royal Alfred.”
Commander Susan Lochner JP DL RN
Commander Susan Lochner JP DL RN
Susan served as an administrative officer in the Royal Navy for 23 years, qualifying as a barrister and holding several legal appointments. A highlight of her career was serving as Admiral’s Secretary on HM Yacht Britannia.
After leaving the Navy, Susan became Home Bursar at Exeter College, Oxford, overseeing all non-academic matters. Since moving to Surrey, she has been a presiding magistrate on the Guildford Bench, chaired the Surrey Magistrates Association, and served as churchwarden in Godalming. She was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of Surrey in 2013 and joined the Royal Alfred board in 2016.
Mr Andy Parker MNM
Mr Andy Parker MNM
Andy is a retired Seagoing Chief Engineer and Senior Fleet Superintendent, who spent the final decade of his career managing shipbuilding projects around the world.
He became a Trustee of the Society in 2014 and sits on the Safeguarding, Care and Welfare Committee - a role he holds dear. Andy brings a wealth of experience in project management, budget control, and people leadership, which he sees as his way of giving back to a cause he cares deeply about.
Josh Tasker
Josh Tasker
Josh has a background in project delivery and organisational change, helping both the private and public sectors adopt modern technologies and new ways of working. He currently consults within the Ministry of Defence, supporting teams across the Royal Navy.
This close work with the maritime community inspired his involvement with the Royal Alfred Seafarers Society. He brings experience in business strategy, technology adoption, and professional coaching to the board, and is passionate about using these skills to support the Society's vital work caring for former seafarers.
Dr Alison Lewis-Smith DClinP MA BA(Hons)
Dr Alison Lewis-Smith DClinP MA BA(Hons)
Alison trained as a nurse at St Thomas’ Hospital and went on to work in a range of healthcare settings both in the UK and abroad – including ten years in the Merchant Navy. Her most recent full-time role was as a Chief Nurse.
Alison is passionate about person-centred care, safeguarding vulnerable children and adults, and staff development. She brings experience from several charity committees and healthcare governance boards, and volunteers locally. She recently became a grandmother.
Commodore Melanie Robinson CBE FCIPD RN
Commodore Melanie Robinson CBE FCIPD RN
Melanie has over 30 years’ service in the Royal Navy and joined the Board of Trustees in 2024. Her expertise spans leadership, strategic HR, cultural transformation and finance management.
Outside her role with the Society, Melanie is a Leadership Consultant and Executive Coach. She is also a Board Director for the Hampshire Football Association and Independent Chair of its Inclusion Advisory Group.
Captain Brett Smith AFNI MCMI FIAMCS AFRIN AssocRINA
Captain Brett Smith AFNI MCMI FIAMCS AFRIN AssocRINA
Brett began his Merchant Navy cadetship in 1989 with Maersk, working across LPG, product tankers, and anchor handling tug supply vessels. He later gained his Master’s Unlimited and commanded vessels for Foreland Shipping in the Falkland Islands and Umm Qasr, Iraq - as part of the Ministry of Defence’s Joint Rapid Reaction Force (JRRF) and Strategic Sealift Service.
Since 2010, Brett has worked in the superyacht sector, now serving as Senior Fleet Master. He is a Younger Brother of Trinity House, London, and an active fundraiser for the Scarborough RNLI.
Meet our co-opted members of the Safeguarding, Care and Welfare Committee
Mrs Di Parker
Mrs Di Parker
Diana is a retired teacher with 35 years of experience. She led a special needs department in a mainstream school, where she was responsible for programme planning, managing a team of 25 teaching assistants, and delivering training for parents, and SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) specialist staff across the district.
She became a co-opted member of the Safeguarding, Care and Welfare Committee in 2015. A natural carer, and with both a husband and a son who went to sea, Diana brings heartfelt understanding of the needs of retired seafarers.
🪔✨ A little Diwali joy at Royal Alfred ✨🪔
Our team recently brought the colours, flavours and traditions of #Diwali to our home, sharing delicious homemade treats and creating a beautiful display for residents and colleagues to enjoy.
It was a wonderful way to celebrate the Festival of Lights, learn about different cultures and spend time together as one community.
A huge thank you to everyone who shared their traditions and helped make the day so special. ❤️
#FestivalOfLights #RoyalAlfred #CareHomeLife #CelebratingTogether #Community #Inclusion #Banstead #CareWithHeart
Nov 14
🌺 Lest We Forget
This week, the #RoyalAlfred community joined the nation in remembrance.
On #RemembranceSunday, Royal Alfred representatives attended the #CenotaphParade in London, while Alice Mitroi and Damian Walicki laid a wreath at the #Banstead War Memorial on behalf of our community.
Today, residents, tenants and staff gathered to observe the Two-Minute Silence, watching the national commemorations and taking time to remember those who served and sacrificed.
For many within Royal Alfred, Remembrance is deeply personal. As a #community with strong naval, military and maritime connections, it is an opportunity to reflect on the courage, service and dedication of generations past and present.
🌺 We remember the fallen.
🌺 We remember the veterans.
🌺 We remember the families.
#LestWeForget.
#RemembranceDay #Veterans #Seafarers #RoyalNavy #MerchantNavy #LifeAtRoyalAlfred
Nov 11
⚓ A big thank you to our Trustees ⚓
While they may not always be in the spotlight, our #Trustees play a vital role in helping the Royal Alfred Seafarers` Society continue to support older seafarers and their dependants.
Their knowledge, guidance and dedication help shape our future, strengthen our charity and ensure our residents remain at the centre of everything we do.
This Trustees` Week, we`re taking a moment to recognise and thank them for the time, care and expertise they so generously give.
👏 Thank you for helping us navigate the journey ahead.
#TrusteesWeek #RoyalAlfred #Charity #SocialCare #MaritimeHeritage #MakingADifference #Seafarers #ThankYou
Nov 10
In Memory of the Brave 🌺
A poppy. A pause. A moment to remember.
Today, our #RoyalAlfred community came together to honour the men and women who served, and to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
At Banstead War Memorial, Alice Mitroi and Damian Walicki laid a wreath on behalf of the Society, while at Belvedere House residents, staff and visitors gathered in quiet reflection.
Many of our residents have personal connections to military and maritime service, making today especially meaningful within our community.
We remember their courage, their service and their sacrifice.
❤️ We will remember them.
#RemembranceDay #WeWillRememberThem #LestWeForget #Veterans #Seafarers #Banstead #RoyalNavy #MerchantNavy #Army #RAF #ArmedForcesCommunity
Nov 8
⚓ Proud to be featured ⚓
We`re pleased to see #RoyalAlfred featured in the latest #TrinityHouse Autumn Flash Magazine.
As a charity with seafaring at its heart, it`s always wonderful to help spread awareness of the support, care and community available to seafarers, veterans and their families.
A big thank you to Trinity House for highlighting the work of organisations that continue to support those with connections to the sea. 💙
Here`s to the people, stories and maritime heritage that bring our community together.
#Seafarers #MaritimeCharity #Veterans #MaritimeCommunity #LifeAtRoyalAlfred #SupportingSeafarers #MaritimeHeritage
Nov 4
🎃✨ Spooky season has arrived at Royal Alfred! ✨👻
Our Home is looking wonderfully festive thanks to the creativity of our residents, tenants and team. 🧡
🎃 Hand-carved pumpkins at the front door
🕸️ Halloween decorations throughout the Home
👻 Staff joining in with fancy dress fun
😊 Lots of smiles along the way
We`ve loved seeing everyone`s ideas come to life and watching the Home transform for Halloween.
It`s amazing how a few pumpkins, a little creativity and a lot of community spirit can bring so much joy. 🧡
Wishing everyone a happy, safe and fun Halloween! 🎃👻
#RoyalAlfred #HalloweenAtRoyalAlfred #PumpkinCarving #CareHomeLife #LifeAtRoyalAlfred #CommunitySpirit #AutumnFun #MakingMemories #Halloween2026
Oct 31
A special visit to Royal Alfred
This week, we were pleased to welcome representatives from the Department of Health and Social Care, including the Deputy Director for Adult Social Care Workforce, a Policy Advisor for Adult Social Care Resilience, a Policy Advisor for Health and Social Care Integration, and the CEO of the National Care Forum.
During their visit, guests toured our care home and sheltered housing community with Home Manager Alice Mitroi and Executive Assistant to the CEO Maria Jobson, met members of our team, joined residents and tenants for Exercise with Jo, and spent time getting to know the people who make Royal Alfred such a special place.
The most valuable part of the visit was the opportunity to hear directly from residents, tenants and their loved ones about life at Royal Alfred and the sense of community that exists here every day. 💙
Thank you to our guests for spending time with us and learning more about the people at the heart of our organisation.
#RoyalAlfred #AdultSocialCare #NationalCareForum #LifeAtRoyalAlfred #CareHomeLife #ShelteredHousing #VeteransCare #CommunitySpirit #ResidentWellbeing
Oct 30
🧸 A little softness goes a long way ✨
For Plush Animal Lover’s Day, we`ve been meeting some of the cutest residents at Royal Alfred... and we`re not talking about the human ones!
From teddy bears and rabbits to dogs and other cuddly companions, many of our residents keep a special soft friend nearby.
They may be small, but they often carry big memories, bringing comfort, familiarity and a reminder of happy moments.
🐻 Because you`re never too old for a favourite teddy.
🐰 Never too old for comfort.
🐶 And never too old to keep a little of your inner child.
We love seeing the personal touches that make each resident`s room feel truly like home.
#RoyalAlfred #PlushAnimalLoversDay #LifeAtRoyalAlfred #CareHomeLife #Wellbeing #Comfort #MakingItHome #MentalWellbeing #ResidentLife #LittleThingsMatter
Oct 28
