The Chief Executive of The Seafarers' Charity, Deborah Layde, was announced as Chair of the Women in Maritime Network. Deborah Layde was appointed to the role of Chief Executive in July 2022, after successfully leading The Seafarers’ Charity’s grant-making programme for 9 years.
Proactive approach
She describes herself as passionate about seafarers and Equality, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. She has led the charity’s approach to EEDI which started with establishing a staff-led EEDI working group in 2020 and recently saw The Seafarers’ Charity become the first maritime welfare charity to commit to joining Maritime UK’s Diversity in Maritime Charter.
This commits organisations from across the maritime sector to take a proactive approach to close the diversity and inclusion gaps within their workforce.
2027 Programme
She is a member of the Merchant Navy Honours Committee and Chair of the Seafarers International Relief Fund
Deborah has also led Charity’s involvement in the 2027 Programme, a 10-year initiative aimed at supporting the diversification of grant-makers to ensure the inclusion of lived experience and addressing the class imbalance in funding organisations.
She is also a member of the Merchant Navy Honours Committee and Chair of the Seafarers International Relief Fund stakeholder group.
Improve welfare
Deborah has a very personal commitment to supporting and improving the welfare of seafarers, arising from growing up near Newlyn’s fishing community and her father’s Royal Navy career.
Before joining The Seafarers’ Charity, Deborah held senior roles at The Industrial Society and Childbase and was the Fundraising and Business Development Manager at the Small Charities Coalition.