Chairman and Vice Chairman
Gordon Craig, Chairman
Gordon is a retired management consultant and has been chairman since 2018. He is currently also chairman of the Bristol Channel Yachting Association. As the son of a boatbuilder and keen sailor he has spent a lifetime associated with matters nautical.
Nigel Vaughan, Vice Chairman
A Trustee since 2016 and Vice Chairman since 2019, Nigel is a chartered electrical and systems engineer. He has always been interested in ships, is a former Royal Navy officer, and has enjoyed sailing in and recreational flying above, the Severn estuary for many years. Nigel is also GHT’s ‘Designated Person’, meaning that he is responsible for providing assurance of GHT’s compliance with the Port Marine Safety Code.
Trustees and Officers
John Christie
John Christie brings a wealth of experience in environmental management and community engagement to the Gloucester Harbour Trustees. With a professional background in river pollution control and extensive involvement in youth enterprise and public speaking through Toastmasters International, John combines technical insight with a passion for education and communication. A committed sailor, he is a former Commodore of Lydney Yacht Club and actively sails the Severn Estuary and beyond. His diverse interests and leadership roles across regional sailing and computing communities reflect a lifelong dedication to service and development.
Carl Merry
Master Mariner and Gloucester Pilot. Command experience in the short and middle sea trades; he has also served as a pilot on the East coast. As a keen yachtsman he enjoys sailing the waters of the Bristol Channel and also supports the Willow Trust as a volunteer skipper.
Geoffrey Comer
Geoffrey was appointed to the board in 2019. Geoffrey retired after a long career that started as an apprentice with Rolls Royce and ended as a Chief Financial Officer working with international engineering and property services groups. He spent 6 years as a non-executive director of Ipswich Port Authority prior to its privatisation.
Garry Strickland
Garry is a Director of Sharpness Dock Limited which carries out the port operation at Sharpness. He is a member, and former Chair, of the Merchant Navy Welfare Board Bristol Port Welfare Committee.
Mike Studden
Appointed in July 2019, Mike is a retired public health scientist with a background in government, commercial consultancy sector, local government and the armed forces. He brings additional skills in risk assessment and corporate governance to the Board. Currently Hon. Treasurer of Berkely Community Trust, his many interests include the marine environment and shipbuilding.
Paul Turner
Paul joined the trustees in October 2024 after a career in retail, sales and marketing management which included being a regional manager, training manager and National sales manager. Following this he launched and ran three successful retail businesses. Paul has an interest in boating and, after his retirement, owned a motor cruiser in Plymouth Yacht Haven. Paul and his wife moved to Berkeley in 2021 where he became a Town Councillor the following year and a Stroud District Councillor in May 2024.
Timothy White
Timothy is a solicitor of more than forty years’ experience. He started in the City of London and spent several years working in one of the firms that specialised in maritime disputes. Subsequently he moved to White & Co, a family firm established by his grandfather, and practised from London and Berkeley. As well as his normal day to day legal work he is engaged with the work of the Segelman Trust, a grant making charity of which he is one of the founding trustees. He and his wife lived in Berkeley from 1988 until 2001 and have recently returned.
Stewart Henderson
The Trustees' Harbour Master, Stewart joined GHT in February 2021 after a successful career planning, supervising and participating in marine operations at a number of ports around the UK and abroad. Stewart is a keen sailor and well-known on the estuary. As the Principal Operational Officer he is a Trustee ex-officio
Susan Hill
Susan, our Finance Officer, is an experienced AAT who works for a number of local clients and joined GHT in January 2015. When not at work, Susan is a leading light in the Gloucestershire Guiding movement and also enjoys time afloat and exploring the canal network with friends.
Jill Joyce
The Trustees' Admin Officer and Clerk, Jill joined GHT in September 2022 with considerable administration skills gained from a career in education and local government services.