Meet our board of trustees

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

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.

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

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.

Dr Richard Reubin MB, ChB

Richard qualified in medicine from the University of Birmingham in 1973. After hospital work and GP training, an unexpected call from the shipping company P&O led him to join a passenger ship bound for Australia - and a few weeks turned almost eight years as a Ship’s Surgeon.

Following his time at sea, Richard spent the rest of his career in NHS General Practice, retiring in 2020 shortly before his 71st birthday. He has served as a Society Trustee since 2005.

Dorothy A. Ross-Tomlin MCIPS (Hon. Alderwoman)

Dorothy was first introduced to the Society during her term as Mayor of Reigate & Banstead in 2007-2008. Originally from Wick, her career in purchasing was mostly with the British Airports Authority, progressing from Glasgow Airport to London head office. Later, she worked as a freelance consultant with clients including Eurotunnel, Heathrow Airport, and Royal & Sun Alliance.

Dorothy served her community for over 25 years as a Borough and County Councillor, developing strong local connections and a deep understanding of care quality standards. She’s proud to use these to help promote the Society’s work.

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

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.