Boleh’s Trustees, Project Team and Those Who Have Helped Us Along
Here you can meet the Trustees, the Project Team and those who have helped us along the way. If you have any questions about Boleh or would just like to know more about our Project, please contact any one of us through this site.
Boleh’s Patron, Trustees and Project Team
Henry Middleton
Chairman of the Boleh Trust and SecretarySpent 30 years in the RAF, retiring as a Group Captain. Second career as Bursar of Dauntsey's School in Wiltshire where duties included the oversight of the operation of "Jolie Brise" the school's famous 1913 French Pilot Cutter. Has a passion for sailing and how that can benefit young people, no doubt born from his childhood spent family sailing on "Boleh".
Vice Admiral Sir David Steel
Patron of the The Boleh TrustSir David retired from the Royal Navy in March 2015 after serving in uniform for thirty six years. A Logistics Officer by specialisation but also trained as a barrister. As Naval Secretary and then as Second Sea Lord Sir David became acquainted with the work of the Boleh Trust through his former commanding officer, George Middleton.
Sir David is now Patron of the Boleh Trust.
Richard Metcalfe
Vice ChairRichard is a regular volunteer Skipper, a Cruising Instructor and Ocean Yacht Master, and conducts Boleh ‘inductions’ for potential Skippers and Mates. With his own business and his sailing experience he has much to offer the Trust, focussing particularly on exploiting opportunities in the sailing programme.
Chris Austin
Chartered Civil Engineer who has lived and worked in Australia, Libya and Oman. Has experienced various roles in engineering, project management, training and sales and marketing. The opportunity to share his training experience, and a wish to help young people achieve their goals, inspired Chris to be part of the Boleh Trust.
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Caroline Middleton
Caroline is a practising Barrister specialising in family law. Her sailing experience includes time spent on the classic French Pilot Cutter "Jolie Brise", an Atlantic crossing, and numerous family sailing escapades. Her work encompasses dealing with care cases which gives her a good insight into the needs of those facing disadvantage in their lives.
Mark Minshull
A Chartered Mechanical Engineer and Programme Manager who has been involved in a number of ship-build and ship support programmes across the globe. I have sailed all my life, first in dinghies and more recently in cruisers. Apart from sailing my interests include sport, music and classic cars.
I first came across Boleh in 2007 at the start of the rescue mission but a ‘chance encounter’ with the team in 2017 captured my fascination for her and I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to contribute to this fantastic project.
Toby Marris
Toby Marris is Sailing Master of the Dauntsey's School world famous pilot cutter "Jolie Brise". He is Chairman of Tall Ships International, an RYA Examiner on the board of ASTO, and hugely knowledgeable about all aspects of sail training. He brings a wealth of sailing experience to the Trust.
Simon Springett
A commando trained Royal Navy chaplain and keen offshore sailor, Simon first got to know Boleh in 2016: “I was hooked by the strength and beauty of her classic junk hull and her unique rig, and even more by her inspirational story. As a skipper, and now a Trustee, it is a privilege to see new generations of young people learning that they, also, Can Do.”
Graham Westbrook
Naval ArchitectGraham is a Project Naval Architect who has been 'messing about with boats' since being given a book about sailing as a prize at junior school. Has been involved in the design, construction and operation of a wide range of boats, yachts and ships with a particular interest in wooden sailing vessels of all sizes.
Craig Coupe
Operations DirectorYachtmaster (Offshore), Cruising Instructor, DofE Award Assessor, and a passionate sailor from childhood, Craig has worked in the outdoor educational sector since leaving the Royal Navy. Most recently Head of a busy, integrated outdoor department at an Independent School, he brings management and business development skills to the Boleh Project, together with a passion for getting young people afloat.
Brook White
Hon TreasurerBrook’s passion for sailing started with the Scouts and led him to dinghies, windsurfers and more recently Round The Island Races. After service in the Royal Navy, becoming a Submarine Navigator, he moved to project management and property development. A Lee-on-Solent resident and past Chair of the local Scout Group, Brook is involved in youth work and rents out his private hydrotherapy pool, built with his father, to local community groups.
David Critchley
Recently retired after 35 years teaching Classics, David learnt to sail as a Naval Cadet Force volunteer and was for some years a dinghy instructor on the HMS Bristol Summer Camps. He recently published an account of the three WW1 Naval War Memorials in The Naval Review. David now plays a key role in the Trust’s fundraising campaigns as a Trustee and is also a regular Boleh volunteer Mate.
George Middleton
VolunteerNephew of Robin Kilroy, past Skipper of Boleh and Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights. Chairman of the Boleh Trust from inception in 2009 to 2021, overseeing Boleh’s transformation from restoration project to MCA coded sail training vessel. Now supports the Team as a volunteer on heritage and fundraising.
David Hafield
Technical AdvisorA Chartered Electrical and Marine Engineer and Fellow of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology. A 37 year career in the Royal Navy as a nuclear propulsion specialist has now given way to more sailing opportunities as a Skipper and Mate with young people through the Boleh Trust and Sea Cadets. David also lends his electrical experience to help with the complex task of keeping Boleh’s systems running.
Nigel Craine
Trustee and SkipperNigel is an RYA Offshore Yachtmaster who has sailed since childhood and is passionate about anything to do with the sea. He’s worked in the marine leisure business for over 40 years and was first introduced to Boleh in 2021. “I have enjoyed being part of the Boleh team and have been
privileged to skipper this classic yacht and to help people realise the simple joys of being afloat. I’ve recently been given the opportunity to become a Trustee and I look forward to bringing my commercial knowledge and skills to the team.”
Ant Atkinson-Willes
Trust SecretaryAnt joined the Boleh team in April 23 and has subsequently taken on the role of Secretary to the
Trustees and Member of the Fund-Raining Team. Recently retired at an Army Full-Time Reservist, he brings a background of Quality Assurance, Management Training, Risk Management and Army Offshore Sailing. An RYA-qualified Day Skipper (Tidal), he serves as Mate on Boleh enabling him to share his love of ‘being on the water’ with Boleh’s guests; keeping them focussed on learning and working together.
Want to get involved and volunteer?
From Skippers to Open Day Stewards, there are lots of ways to get involved – we would love to hear from you!
Those Who Helped Us Along
We have been hugely fortunate throughout the project, to have had such fantastic people helping the project along. From advice on putting our funding together, to creating a real community involved project and excellent technical skills; the Boleh Trustee's are extremly grateful for each individual's commitment.
Kevin Hood
Former Lead SkipperKevin served in the Royal Navy over a 28 year career. Moved subsequently to EDF Energy as their Head of Reward and then later retraining for his current role teaching sailing. He is a Commercial Yachtmaster Ocean and Yachtmaster Instructor who works for a number of charities and sailing schools in the South of the country.
Tim Gallier
Production ManagerTim supported the Apprentices in all aspects of developing their skills and knowledge during the restoration. In particular the issuing of job cards and the scheduling of work on the shop floor allowing them to fully participate in the Boleh restoration and at the same time being able to provide evidence for their NVQ assessment.
Dave Reason
ShipwrightDave served his apprenticeship in Portsmouth Naval Base from 1967-1973, since then he has worked as a boatbuilder on both old and new boats in most of the local firms. Dave started with the Boleh Project at the beginning of April 2013.
Peter Spurge
ShipwrightPeter is a yacht and boat builder by trade, with time served at Westerly Marine, Northshore Yachts and Emsworth boatyard. He has also spent time with Halmatic and Premier yachts, where he worked on custom yachts worth anything up to £2million. Peter joined the Boleh Project to concentrate on laying the teak deck.
Carl Standley
ShipwrightFollowing an apprenticeship at Camper and Nicholsons in Gosport, Carl has gone on to dedicate his career to the boatbuilding industry. He joined the Boleh Project from his most recent position at the small boat section of BAE Systems where he was responsible for the constructions of RIBs and other watercraft.
Sara Lamond
Marketing and PRFollowing service with the Royal Navy, Sara went on to work in the Defence Sector in various roles including Commercial, Business Development and Corporate Communications. She now runs her own wedding and event floral design business in Hampshire, working with top venues across the South. More recently Sara made a fantastic contribution as a Trustee managing the PR elements of the Trust and managed the launch of our new website with wonderful results.
Andy Murray
Transition ManagerAndy was the Transition Manager for the Boleh Trust and helped to take an inspiring vessel from her restoration into operating as a Sail Training boat in the Portsmouth area. Andy spent a number of years working at Sea in both the superyacht and sail training industries and runs his own marine consultancy business Ocean Tempus Consulting.
Sophia Mirchandani
Served for many years as a TrusteeSophia is a museum professional with over 25 years' experience in the heritage and cultural sectors. Has a particular interest in the imaginative reuse and development of heritage buildings and assets to meet new social and cultural needs. First became involved in helping Boleh secure HLF funding when she was part of the team developing plans for her restoration and furture use.
Guy Fithen
Served for many years as a TrusteeRun Vox, a media and coaching business based in London. Amazed to hear about the recovery and restoration plans for junk-yatch Boleh from George Middleton, as it turned out that as a boy growing up in Singapore, Guy bought a dog-eared copy of Robin's book, 'Boleh' on Changi market and it was this book that inspired him to learn to sail.
David Knight
Served for many years as a TrusteeWidely involved in the agricultural industry as a fruit farmer, director of several grain and fruit cooperatives and in rural management consultancy. Sailing experience extends over 50 years with dinghy and yacht racing as well as restoration of a large oyster smack. Considered it a privilege to be involved with such a project and played a key role as Chairman of Boleh’s restoration Design Group.
Katy Bater
Project CoordinatorKaty served for 5 years with the Royal Navy then went on to do voluntary work in Zimbabwe where she worked on a Lion rehabilitation programme. Katy was the Project Coordinator for the Boleh Project and managed the project on a day to day basis on behalf of the Trustees. For a long time, Katy was the main contact for all things Boleh. More recently, managed the Boleh website and social media.
Brian Taylor
Project ShipwrightBrian started working with the Boleh Project in March 2011, overseeing both the rebuild and the hands on training of the apprentices. Throughout his 50 year career in the boat building industry, he has worked on numerous boat projects all around the world, from small scale production craft to super yachts.
Sam Bromley
Website ManagerAlongside working in the marketing team at Leeds Castle in Kent and raising a young family, Sam volunteered to help the Boleh Trust from 2019 to 2022. Despite the challenges of Covid, he ensured the ongoing upkeep of the Boleh website and the regular update of our social media channels with the latest news.
Piers Middleton
Trustee for many yearsDirector of Clarksons, Shipbrokers, with responsibility for new build and offshore support vessels for the oil industry. Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights. Keen sailor who finds time between travel on business and a young family to run marathons raising money for the Boleh Trust.Involved in the original 2007 'rescue' and recovery of Boleh from Mallorca for restoration in Portsmouth.
