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
Captain Malcolm Lowle
Captain Malcolm Lowle
Mr Jim Ross-Tomlin
Mr Jim Ross-Tomlin
Jim brings a wealth of commercial experience, having lead teams of up to 100 employees during his career. His strong people management and HR skills have been developed over many years and are invaluable to the Society.
He also brings knowledge of health and safety practices and currently volunteers with First Community Health and Care CIC in several roles, including the “Falls Group.”
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.
⚓ Young visitors, great conversations and plenty of smiles ☕
As part of National Cadet Week, we were delighted to welcome some special guests to Royal Alfred yesterday.
Over coffee and cake, residents and @SeaCadetsCroydon spent time chatting, sharing stories and discovering just how much different generations can learn from one another.
There was laughter, friendship and some fascinating conversations along the way. 😊
Thank you to our visitors for spending the morning with us and helping create such a memorable event.
💙 Because great conversations have no age limit.
#RoyalAlfred #NationalCadetWeek #IntergenerationalConnections #CommunitySpirit #LifeAtRoyalAlfred #MakingMemories #CareHomeLife
Oct 12
👀✨ Sneak peek...
A wall filled with wisdom. 💙
Residents and staff have been sharing their favourite life lessons, advice and reflections, helping us create something very special at Royal Alfred.
This Sunday, some special guests will be joining us to discover the display and share a morning of conversation and connection.
The words themselves are staying under wraps for now... 🤫
More to come soon!
#RoyalAlfred #WordsOfWisdom #SneakPeek #ComingSoon #LifeAtRoyalAlfred #CommunitySpirit #CareHomeLife #MakingConnections
Oct 10
☕ Coffee, conversation and appreciation.
Recently, members of our team joined the CEO and leadership team for a relaxed Coffee with the CEO gathering.
It was a chance to say #ThankYou ❤️ to the colleagues who work so hard every day to support our residents, tenants and one another.
🥐 Alongside coffee and pastries, there were plenty of conversations, shared ideas and opportunities for staff to connect with the leadership team in an informal setting.
At Royal Alfred, we believe that listening is just as important as leading. Creating space for open conversations helps us learn from one another and continue building a positive and supportive workplace. 🤗
Thank you to all our wonderful colleagues for everything you do. Your care, commitment and teamwork make a difference every single day. ✨
#RoyalAlfred #TeamRoyalAlfred #StaffAppreciation #CareHomeLife #CareWithCompassion #WorkplaceCulture #HealthcareTeam #LifeAtRoyalAlfred
Oct 9
✨ What does positive ageing look like at Royal Alfred? 🌟
For us, it looks a little like this...
💪 Keeping moving and staying active
🐾 Spending time with our lovely Bailey
🚌 Getting out into the community
🎶 Enjoying music together
😊 Sharing laughter and good company
💙 And, most importantly, continuing to enjoy the things that make life special
As Positive Ageing Week comes to an end, we’re celebrating some of the lovely moments our residents and tenants have shared, from exercise and a visit to the Royal British Legion Hub, to time with Bailey and a musical outing for International Music Day. 🎵
Ageing positively isn’t about slowing down. It’s about finding joy, friendship, purpose and something to look forward to.
Here’s to many more happy moments together. 💙✨
#RoyalAlfred #PositiveAgeingWeek #PositiveAgeing #LifeAtRoyalAlfred #LivingWell #CareHomeLife #Wellbeing #Seafarers #Veterans #MakingEveryDayCount
Oct 4
☕💜 A special visitor to our Memory Café
We were delighted to welcome Cllr Lynne Fletcher, Shadow Councillor for East Surrey, to Royal Alfred today. 💙
Alongside a tour of our home and beautiful grounds, Lynne joined us at our monthly Memory Café, meeting residents, families, visitors, volunteers and colleagues along the way.
Held on the first Friday of every month, our Memory Café offers a friendly and supportive space for people living with dementia and their loved ones to meet, chat, take part in activities and enjoy time together.
It was lovely to share a little of life at Royal Alfred and the wonderful sense of community that means so much to us.
Thank you, Lynne, for spending the morning with us! 💙⚓
#RoyalAlfred #MemoryCafe #DementiaSupport #LifeAtRoyalAlfred #Community #CareHomeLife #PositiveAgeing #Seafarers #Veterans #EastSurrey
Oct 2
🍂 A lovely October awaits at Royal Alfred 🍂
A new month means lots more to enjoy!
🌿 Days out and new places to explore
🎨 Getting creative
🎶 Music and entertainment
🐾 Cuddles and companionship with Bailey
🧠 Quizzes and games
💆 A little pampering
💪 Keeping active
🎃 And some spooky fun to finish the month!
We’re also looking forward to the National Seafarers Service at St Paul’s Cathedral, a special opportunity to come together with the wider seafaring and veterans community and honour the maritime heritage so close to Royal Alfred’s heart. ⚓
For us, activities aren’t simply about keeping busy. They’re about friendship, choice, laughter, staying connected and having something to look forward to. 😊
Thank you to our fantastic Health & Wellbeing Team for bringing so much variety and joy to life at Royal Alfred.
Bring on October! 🍂💙
#RoyalAlfred #LifeAtRoyalAlfred #OctoberActivities #CareHomeLife #Seafarers #Veterans #Wellbeing #CareHomeActivities #DementiaCare #MakingEveryDayCount
Sep 29
💙 Right care. Right place. A more supported journey.
We’re proud to see our CEO, Dr Peter Inkpen, featured in @thecarer_uk , discussing how we can better support people living with #dementia as they move from hospital into the next stage of their care.
For residents and their loved ones, leaving hospital can sometimes bring uncertainty as well as relief. Having the right care, the right environment and compassionate people around you can make all the difference.
At Royal Alfred, we see every day how much a calm, welcoming and person-centred approach matters. Care isn`t simply about meeting someone`s needs. It`s about knowing the person, respecting their individuality and helping them feel safe, valued and at home. 💙
We`re pleased to see this important conversation being shared with the wider care community, and thank The Carer for featuring the article.
#RoyalAlfred #DementiaCare #CareWithCompassion #PersonCentredCare #DementiaAwareness #SocialCare #CareHomeLife #OlderPeopleCare
Sep 28
💙 A little glimpse of life at Royal Alfred this week...
⚓Celebrating World Maritime Day
🎶Enjoying a fantastic concert with Steve Convey
🎨Looking back on some of our residents` creations and crafts on National Day of Arts in Care Homes
🌿Exploring with a wonderful trip to Kew Gardens
With World Maritime Day and the National Day of Arts in Care Homes both falling on 24 September, there has been plenty to celebrate this week.
From getting creative to getting out and about, and from music to shared laughter, we love creating opportunities for our residents to enjoy good company, new experiences and the things that bring a little extra joy to the day. 😊
Swipe through for a few moments from life at Royal Alfred📸💙
#RoyalAlfred #ThisWeekAtRoyalAlfred #LifeAtRoyalAlfred #CareHomeLife #WorldMaritimeDay #ArtsInCareHomes #KewGardens #Seafarers #MakingMemories #Community
Sep 25
