7 Apr 2022

The Seafarers’ Charity’s Chief Executive Officer, Catherine Spencer will step down on 6 July 2022 to take on a new role outside of the maritime sector.

Catherine has led the Charity since July 2019. She has worked with the Senior Leadership Team and General Council to re-energise an effective and efficient organisation, working across the maritime sector to ensure seafarers and their families have access to a wide range of quality support.

New strategic plan

Catherine has been our Chief Executive for nearly three years, during the most testing time for any organisation - including The Seafarers’ Charity - and she will be missed greatly. She has successfully rebranded the charity, delivered a new strategic plan, rebuilt the leadership team and seen the charity emerge from the COVID-19 global pandemic on an even firmer footing, ready to meet the challenges of our second century of tackling seafarer welfare, head on.”

I am fortunate to work with a fantastic team and board of trustees at The Seafarers’ Charity"

As witnessed through the swift management of the Seafarers International Relief Fund (SIRF) and the response to the Ukrainian seafarer crisis, she has been front and centre in the maritime welfare community and she leaves us with a proud legacy upon which to build. Our deepest thanks and our very best wishes as she embarks on the next phase of her career,” said Paul Butterworth, Chair of the General Council at The Seafarers’ Charity.

Making significant improvements

I am fortunate to work with a fantastic team and board of trustees at The Seafarers’ Charity. Together we’ve made meaningful changes that are making significant improvements to the lives of seafarers.”

It’s a great charity to work for and I know my dedicated colleagues will continue to innovate and create new ways of supporting seafarers now and into the future,” Catherine Spencer, CEO at The Seafarers' Charity.