Falmouth Harbour Commissioners
Falmouth Harbour Commissioners undertake the statutory and regulatory management of the Harbour. They have created two business arms to provide focussed management of their leisure and pilotage operations.
CHAIR, DEPUTY CHAIR and CEO
Mark Chanter
Chair
Mark retired from his role as a solicitor with Stephens Scown of Truro in April 2023. Mark brings an abundance of business planning experience to the role. He currently holds the post of Honorary Solicitor of the Royal Cornwall Agricultural Society. Mark joined the Board in January 2017.
John Elliott
Deputy Chair
John has had over 30 years’ experience working in a variety of fields from water utilities, energy, media, telecoms and most recently financial services where he was Chief Operating Officer. John has lived in Falmouth for over 20 years and is an enthusiastic kayaker and open water swimmer.
Miles Carden
CEO
Miles joined FHC as CEO in 2021. Miles’ background before joining FHC includes; property, economic development, marketing, trade and investment and the aviation, aerospace and space industries. Miles lives locally in St Mawes and has over 40 years of sailing experience in the port. As Chief Executive, Miles is a member of the Board and is responsible for the sustainable growth of Falmouth Harbour, management and development of the Organisation.
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Adrian Davis
Commissioner
Adrian retired from the Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service in April 2016, having completed 30 years of service and achieving the rank of Chief Fire Officer. More recently, he has held the position of Non Executive Director with Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CFT), where he is Chair of the Audit Committee. Adrian has been a Senior Independent Director for CFT for the last 18 months. Adrian joined the Board in January 2019 and lives in Truro.
Carrie Gilmore
Commissioner
Carrie has more than 30 years of human resources and management experience and has worked in a variety of different industries including retail, brewing, IT, leisure, banking & financial services. She has held Director/Board positions since 1996. Carrie lives in Mawnan Smith and works as a HR consultant.
Ben Grigg
Commissioner
Ben was employed in Product Management and Sales & Marketing Director roles for 12 years at marine equipment manufacturer Lewmar Ltd, and Camper & Nicholsons Marinas. More recently, he has provided business consultancy to leisure and commercial marine businesses. Ben is currently employed on an INUK innovation project for Spinlock Limited. Ben grew up Falmouth.
Gerald Pitts
Commissioner
Gerald is a proud Cornishman with extensive knowledge of the commercial shipping industry, Gerald Pitts enjoyed a successful 46-year career with A&P including stints as MD of A&P Falmouth and MD of A&P Defence.
In his role as a Falmouth Harbour Commissioner Gerald feels he will be able to combine his extensive knowledge and experience of the commercial shipping world with a lifelong connection with Cornwall in general and Falmouth in particular – providing valuable input and support to the harbour stakeholders and the wider marine community.
Andrew Williams
Commissioner
Andrew is land manager and business owner outside Bodmin. He brings a diverse view on the workings of business with specific interest in diversification and enhancement. He currently holds posts with the Country Land and Business Association and the Cornwall Agri-Food Council. Andrew joined the Board in July 2019.
Consultative Committee
Dr Neil Andrew
Chair
A native of Falmouth, Neil held senior appointments in the MoD culminating in spearheading business transformation of the R&D labs prior to privatisation and subsequent stock market flotation. A life-long sailor himself, since retiring in 2009 he has played a lead in organising major sailing events.
Chris Freer
Chris has a wealth of knowledge of the marine sector and marine technology developments, particularly floating offshore wind. Chris understands key business processes including financial management, technology potential, marketing, funding, operations and HR. Chris is familiar with the local business sector and economy networks and has a passion for all things maritime and Cornwall.
Don Garman
Don worked in education for the whole of his working life as a teacher, local and government education adviser and self-employed consultant. He taught sailing for 28 years and established four RYA teaching establishments. He has served on two sailing club committees as bosun and Rear Commodore Sailing. He has owned yachts for forty years and currently owns a traditionally built 27’ gaff cutter. He is currently Vice Chair and Director of Falmouth Classics Association Ltd, Deputy Station Manager and Training Manager at Nare Point Coastwatch Station and has an interest in a local boatyard.
Victoria Hobson
Victoria is a lecturer in marine ecology and conservation at the University of Exeter’s Penryn campus. My research and professional career has been focused on marine ecology and conservation, focusing on the how mobile marine species interact with their environments using animal attached technologies, particularly jellyfish, turtles and fish. Victoria was previously the marine biologist for the UKHO and is currently a committee member of the Cornwall Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority.
Dave Nicoll
Dave has lived in Falmouth all his life. Qualifying as a Civil Engineer and Commercial Diver he spent 16 years working on construction projects in the marine and water industry sectors. In 2001 he moved to the Fundraising Sector, running the RNLI’s Fundraising and Partnerships in the Southwest Region, being involved in many of Falmouth’s major events including the Sea Shanty Festival, Castle to Castle Swim and Tall Ships. He has been involved in sailing, diving and other maritime interests from a young age and for the last 42 years has been a volunteer crew member of Falmouth Lifeboats, currently serving as a Deputy 2nd Coxswain.
David Owens
A native of Cornwall, Dave has extensive experience in local government, government agencies and the private sector working in the fields of planning, flooding, pollution, environmental and emergency management. A racing sailor for 40 years he has played key roles in Flushing Sailing Club and sailed in some 30 Falmouth Weeks.
Tristan Rowe
Tristan grew up on Mylor Yacht Harbour and has spent his life on the waters around Falmouth, in Optimists to 100m Superyachts and everything in between. Tristan is a keen cruising sailor and passionate about Falmouth Harbour being a welcoming and accessible port for all to enjoy. He has over 20 years’ experience in the marine leisure industry and is currently the After Sales Director for Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding.
Steve Taylor
As a keen competitive dinghy sailor from a young age, and realising a passion for boats, Steve has had many varied roles in the marine industry including; apprentice boat builder when leaving school, running his own boat building and repair business working around the world, working in the water sports industry and becoming Principal of an RYA approved water sports centre, studying as a mature student to achieve a BSc (Hons) to become a Small Craft and Yacht Surveyor, working in education to develop apprenticeship programmes with a large manufacturer of motor yachts on the South Coast. Steve has been in Cornwall for around 13 years working for The Cornwall College Group for the last 5 and becoming Head of Falmouth Marine School in 2020. Steve is passionate about the sea, the environment and developing local links to business.
The FHC Team
Miles Carden
CEO
Miles joined FHC as CEO in 2021. Miles’ background before joining FHC includes; property, economic development, marketing, trade and investment and the aviation, aerospace and space industries. Miles lives locally in St Mawes and has over 40 years of sailing experience in the port. As Chief Executive, Miles is a member of the Board and is responsible for the sustainable growth of Falmouth Harbour, management and development of the Organisation.
Miles Featherstone
Harbour Master
Miles was appointed in July 2023 following the retirement of our previous Harbour Master. Miles worked for 10 and half years at the Port of London Authority (PLA) on the River Thames. Miles started as a Marine Trainee and finished as Deputy Harbour Master. During this time Miles obtained his UK Harbour Master Certificate and managed the pilot cutter, cruise and naval visits and major events including New Year’s Eve and the Oxford/Cambridge Boat Race amongst other duties.
Holly Manvell
Head of Commercial Operations
Holly Manvell is a qualified company secretary with a background in legal and business from small start-ups to listed companies. She is also an experienced yachtswoman who founded the global not-for-profit organisations Clean Sailors and Cleaner Marinas. Holly's strategic focus is on the longer-term growth for Falmouth Harbour – working closely with CEO, Miles, to generate new, profitable, innovative business streams and projects. She is also tasked with improving customer services and the range of Harbour services for our various local and international stakeholders.
Vicki Spooner
Environment and Quality Systems Manager
Vicki is the Environment and Quality Systems Manager responsible for developing and maintaining the organisations integrated management system. She has always been inspired and fascinated by the marine environment. Vicki studied Marine Zoology at University and found that she wanted to understand more about human impacts and how these can be mitigated. She is motivated to continuously develop ideas and work collaboratively with colleagues and wider stakeholders to find solutions and opportunities to lead and advocate for change to make a positive impact on the environment and communities.
Ifor Pedley
Deputy Harbour Master
Ifor is Deputy Harbour Master after previously serving as Assistant Harbour Master (Operations) and on the Pilot Boats. In his role, Ifor has responsibility for the Pilot Boats and crews as well as supporting the Harbour Master with port marine safety. Ifor has a background in Operations Management and has a Masters Degree in Business. A keen yachtsman, Ifor has competed in international sailing events and lives aboard his trawler yacht in Falmouth.
Tim Jones
Assistant Harbour Master (Conservancy)
Tim took over as Assistant Harbour Master in March 2021 and is responsible for the Conservancy function of Falmouth Harbour Commissioners. Tim is a keen sailor having cruised the south coast all his life and has worked away on larger sailboats for a number of years before joining FHC. He holds a BSc Hons in Environmental Science is interested in providing sustainable solutions moving forward.
Tom Redgrave
Marine Manager
Tom holds over 15 years’ experience in commercial shipping and the operation and management of work boats. He is responsible for day to day pilot boat operations and acts as a first point of contact for commercial stakeholders. Tom is also a keen yacht racer and has competed with success at large regattas throughout the UK, Europe and the Caribbean. Tom is a graduate of the University of Exeter.
Elizabeth Gooch
Finance Manager
Elizabeth joined as Finance Manager in June 2023 and comes from a finance / consultancy background having run her own business for many years with several high profile international clients.
She is originally from Sydney and loves the beach life the south west offers.
Kathryn Smith
Executive Support
Having lived in the Midlands all her life, Kathryn has recently relocated to Falmouth with her Cornish husband. Kathryn has extensive PA/Executive Support experience and is enjoying her role working with the CEO and the Board at FHC.
Falmouth Haven Team
