New Chair of Trustees announced at PML

Nigel, who has been a Trustee of PML since August 2015 and currently serves as Chair of the Audit & Finance Committee, will assume the role of Chair following the departure of Janice Timberlake after July. As a Chartered Accountant, he has brought invaluable financial expertise to the organisation throughout his tenure.

Upon taking up the Chair position, Nigel will step down from the Audit & Finance Committee, with fellow Trustee Kerin Sequeira assuming leadership of that committee.

As part of PML’s ongoing governance development, two new trustees are also being sought for appointment during 2026.

Extensive Leadership Experience

Nigel brings a wealth of governance and leadership experience to the role. He currently serves in a number of Plymouth-focused, including as Chair of the Plymouth City Centre Company, a Governor and member of the Finance and Estates Committee of the Arts University Plymouth and a Director of Destination Plymouth Limited.

Until recently he was also a Trustee of the Dame Hannah Rogers Trust, which provides care and support for adults with a range of disabilities, and he is also a former Cattewater Harbour Commissioner and a previous Board member of the Barbican Trust.

“It is a huge honour to be appointed as the Chair at PML. This is an incredibly exciting time for the organisation as it forges ahead with the ‘Science for Ocean Action’ strategy to 2030 and I am hugely grateful to Janice Timberlake for the role she has played as the current Chair.” said Nigel.

“Furthermore, it is an important time for the city of Plymouth itself, in particular given the major investments expected as part of the defence growth agenda and the opportunities this will bring for the marine and maritime sector.

I am looking forward to continuing to support PML’s mission of delivering a healthy future Ocean, working with my colleagues on the Board, the leadership team and the broader organisation to help guide our path forwards in the coming years.”

Janice Timberlake, the outgoing Chair who was appointed to the Board in 2012 (and has served as Chair since 2021), said:

“I am delighted to be passing the torch to Nigel, who has already been playing a key role on PML’s Board of Trustees for many years.  His wealth of knowledge and experience will no doubt continue to strengthen PML – which is a fantastic organisation to be part of – and I wish him every success.”

PML’s Chief Executive Professor Icarus Allen said: “

“Nigel’s appointment comes at an exciting time for PML, as we look to harness opportunities both nationally and locally – particularly those arising from major investments in Plymouth and across the UK.

With the continued dedication of our Board and our staff, I am confident we are well-placed to deliver on our ambitious ‘Science for Ocean Action’ strategy. Together, we aim to make a lasting positive impact, address the most pressing challenges facing the marine environment, and deliver real societal benefit.”