RNLI appoints new leader to take charity into third century of lifesaving

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has announced that its new Chief Executive will be Peter Sparkes.

Peter, who is currently the Chief Executive of the UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO), will take up the post of Chief Executive on 26 June and will lead the charity through the second half of its 200th anniversary year of saving lives at sea.

Peter brings with him significant operational and leadership experience. Joining the Royal Navy in 1990, he served in a wide variety of appointments, both at sea on operational duty and ashore. Notably, he commanded the frigate HMS Cumberland on counter-piracy patrol off Somalia, and the 46 units of the Portsmouth Flotilla. In late 2019, he served in Washington DC as the UK Chief of Defence Staff’s Liaison Officer to the US Joint Chiefs of Staff in the Pentagon.

Peter became the Acting Chief Executive of the UKHO in July 2020 and was subsequently appointed Chief Executive in April 2021, leaving the Royal Navy to take up the permanent role. He has led the globally significant maritime safety organisation throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, initiating the UKHO’s transformational shift to becoming a truly digital organisation.

Janet Legrand, Chair of the RNLI, said: ‘We are delighted to appoint Peter Sparkes as the next Chief Executive of the RNLI. He is a proven and accomplished leader and a great communicator with a strong sense of service.

‘He has clearly demonstrated his passion for and understanding of the RNLI and its volunteering ethos and is a volunteer himself for a homeless charity in the south west.

‘Peter has had a highly successful career to date and the RNLI Board is confident he has the right skills, experience and gravitas to take the RNLI forward into its third century of saving lives at sea.’

Peter has previous first-hand experience of the lifesaving work the RNLI does. While serving in the Royal Navy as Commanding Officer of HMS Cumberland, Peter provided support to Torbay lifeboat in 2008 during the rescue of the Ice Prince, for which RNLI Coxswain Mark Criddle was awarded a Silver Medal. Peter attended the gallantry medal presentations at Berry Head Hotel.

At the time of this rescue Peter commented that it was a great privilege to see the determined efforts to take the last eight people off the vessel. He noted how well the coxswain handled the lifeboat in extremely challenging conditions and that the actions shown upheld the finest traditions of the RNLI, earning deserved respect from all involved.

Commenting on his appointment, Peter said: ‘I am thrilled to have been selected as the new Chief Executive of the RNLI. It is an enormous privilege and honour to be asked to lead such a precious institution as it embarks on a new watch.

‘I have always followed the RNLI with great interest and am looking forward to being part of the crew.’

The RNLI’s current Chief Executive, Mark Dowie, has been in post since May 2019 and will leave the RNLI on 26 June.

On Mark’s contribution, Janet said: ‘Mark has been the right leader at the right time for the RNLI.

‘The past 5 years have been some of the most turbulent in our 200-year history – dealing with the impact of the pandemic and rising inflation, a significant increase in demand, and heightened public scrutiny, especially in response to small boat crossings in the Channel.

‘He has tackled criticism head-on, reaffirming the RNLI’s vision to save every one. This has not been without risk, but he has unashamedly stayed true to the RNLI’s purpose throughout, generating amazing support, income, sector-wide recognition, and new heights of brand awareness.

‘He has much to be proud of, not least maintaining a 24/7 rescue service throughout and ensuring he has brought the RNLI’s people with him on a journey through turbulent times.’

 

Latest

Jacqueline de Rojas CBE appointed as Chair of the Board of Trustees

Andy Street announced as Birmingham Rep’s new Chair of the Board of Trustees

John Whitgift Foundation appoints new CEO

FCA and PRA appoint new Chair of the FSCS

University of Glasgow announces Professor Andy Schofield as new Principal and Vice-Chancellor

Nurturing future leaders: Jane Gotts, Chair of The Glasgow Academy

Alan Cumming appointed new Artistic Director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre

Building Together for the Future: A series of insights from friends of the firm and long standing leaders across the Built Environment

What will healthcare look like over the coming decade? Interview with Haris Sultan

Jo Ogilvy rejoins Saxton Bampfylde as Consultant in the Schools’ Practice

Transforming Legal Services: Isabel Parker on AI, Innovation, and the Future of Law Firms

Nurturing future leaders: Interview with Emma Taylor, Warden and CEO of Dean Close Foundation

Steering the family business forward: Interview with Neil Davy, Chief Executive Officer at Family Business UK

Sandie Okoro OBE appointed as first female Chancellor of the University of Birmingham

SXSW London reveals key management team appointments

RSA announces Loyd Grossman CBE as Chair of the Board of Trustees

University of Chichester announces appointment of new Vice-Chancellor

DFN Project SEARCH appoints learning disability expert Kirsty Matthews as new Chief Executive

Jonathan Shaw appointed as new Headmaster of Ellesmere College

Elizabeth Newman appointed as Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres

Queen Mary’s School Announces New Head for 2025

Canterbury Christ Church University appoints Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost

Steering the family business forward: Interview with Gouy Hamilton-Fisher, Director Colleagues & Support, Timpson Group

Canford School appoints Chris Wheeler as new Head

Jewish Museum London appoints Sally Angel as new Chief Executive

Foundling Museum announces new Chair

The White Horse Federation appoints CEO

Social Mobility Day 2024

Concern Worldwide (UK) appoints new Executive Director

Richard Greenhalgh succeeded by Christian Brodie as Chair of United Learning’s Group Board

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew announces Susan Raikes as Director of Wakehurst

Standing Together: Saxton Bampfylde Celebrates Pride Month

We have moved! Our new London location

Managing Risk in Professional Services: It’s not just about protecting the firm, but enabling it – Interview with Alastair Levy

Crystal Palace Park Trust welcomes Victoria Pinnington as new CEO

Nadia Fall appointed as new Artistic Director of The Young Vic Theatre

How lawyers are coming to terms with their own ‘Now and Then’

Nicola Dudley announced as new Head of Queen Margaret’s School for Girls

Gordon Seabright appointed new Chief Executive of the Horniman Museum and Gardens

The General Pharmaceutical Council appoints new Chief Strategy Officer

A healthy perspective on executive search

Foot Anstey LLP appoints Non-Executive Director

South By Southwest comes to London

Saxton Bampfylde in action with charity Smart Works

Sue Ryder announces new Chief Executive

What will healthcare look like over the coming decade? Interview with Gabrielle Mathews

Liz Truss was correct. Well, on one fundamental point

General Dental Council announces new Chief Executive and Registrar

Andrew Comben appointed new CEO of Britten Pears Arts

Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE appointed as new Director of the British Museum

Saxton Bampfylde partners with Family Business UK

Professor Robert Mokaya appointed Provost and DVC at University of Sheffield

30 years on from the first Code: A personal account of the Corporate Governance Revolution

Celebrating International Women’s Day 2024

Steering the family business forward: Interview with Emma Fox, CEO of Berry Bros & Rudd

Leadership in the age of AI: CEO Breakfast with Doug Gurr, Director of the National History Museum

Sustainability Dinner with speaker James Cameron, Chair of Crown Agents

What will healthcare look like over the coming decade? Interview with Nigel Edwards

Middlesex University announces its new Vice-Chancellor

SafeLives appoints new CEO

Do the right thing: ESG in 2024 – Interview with Lisa Hart Shepherd, CEO of Lamp House Strategy

A Healthy Perspective Podcast – Helen Buckingham, Nuffield Trust

New GPhC Council members appointed for 2024 and 2025

RICS senior governance appointments

An Independent Mind: Sharpening the role of a law firm NED

CLCH appoints new Director of Strategy, Partnerships and Integration

Into Film appoints Fiona Evans as new CEO

An evening for current and aspiring non-executives with Kenny Imafidon

V&A announces Director of Collections and Chief Curator

Erika Lewis appointed CEO at Connected Places Catapult

Alex Frazer Announced as the New Head of Bancroft’s

Sue Baillie appointed as Woldingham’s new Head

Royal Hospital School appoints new Head

The University of Manchester appoints Professor Duncan Ivison as next President & Vice-Chancellor

Championing the Mission – Interview with Jonathan Morgan

Quadrant Chambers appoints Sarah Longden as new COO

New Oasis Community Learning Chief Executive Announced

Rachel Kent made Financial Regulators Complaints Commissioner

Steering the family business forward: Interview with Paul Drechsler CBE

Indhu Rubasingham appointed as Director of the National Theatre

Northumbria University, Newcastle appoints new members to Board of Governors

Professor Tom Crick joins DCMS as Chief Scientific Adviser

Norwich Theatre appoints Tom Sleigh as new Chair

MOSL announces Cliff Kamara as new Board member

Saxton Bampfylde welcomes Partner Hannah Scarisbrick back to the firm

Saxton Bampfylde ranked in Financial Times UK’s Leading Recruiters 2024

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation and Association Welcomes Martin Houghton-Brown as Secretary General

Royal British Legion Announces New Director General

English Heritage announces New Blue Plaques Panel Members

Paul Ridd named Director of Edinburgh International Film Festival

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra announces Lord Tony Hall as new Chair

Team Consulting appoints new CEO

UK Civil Aviation Authority Appoints Rob Bishton as the new Chief Executive

The Box appoints Rebecca Bridgman as Head of Collections and Programme

English Heritage appoints Dr Nick Merriman as its new Chief Executive

Breadth and depth: leading across the regulatory landscape

Who’s Moving in Healthcare – August-September 2023

Wise counsel: bringing an external perspective to Higher Education

Looking through a different lens: a scientific scope from academia to government

Outside In: Leveraging External Perspectives in Higher Education