Internal promotions strengthen MDL’s marina management teams

MDL Marinas is delighted to announce six new managers across its UK marinas, five of which have been promoted internally.

Debbie Burns has transferred to manage Hamble Point Marina, Claire Kennedy has been promoted to manage Northney and Sparkes marinas and Andrew Millar is to head up Ocean Village and Saxon Wharf.

Further internal promotions see Martyn Sherratt and Alex Warner take over the helm at Brixham Marina and Dartside Quay respectively, while Emma Crompton joins the company to manage Chatham Maritime Marina.

Debbie Burns, now looking after Hamble Point, has worked for MDL for the past 26 years and has previously managed Mercury Yacht Harbour, Port Hamble, Ocean Village and latterly Northney and Sparkes. Debbie is a Certified Marina Manager and is actively involved with British Marine South (she is currently vice chair) and has previously chaired and been a member of committees for the Global Marina Institute, and TYHA.

“I’m looking forward to managing Hamble Point, and working with customers and tenants,” she says.

Hamble Point is such a fantastic location, and as such attracts a really diverse mix of berth holders and tenants. It’s a busy atmosphere and a fresh challenge to take on, as MDL continues to develop its facilities and make improvements across the site.

After two years as Assistant Manager, Claire Kennedy has been promoted to Marina Manager at Northney and Sparkes. Claire has over 12 years' experience in the industry, previously working at Chichester Marina where she ran a successful boatyard.

Claire says she is delighted to take on the promotion, managing the two Hayling Island sites.

“I am very excited to be leading the team and driving the future success of the marina,” she says. “I really love seeing berth holders enjoying their boats and see my role as doing everything I can to facilitate that. Running two sites simultaneously is a lovely challenge to have, especially as they’re both in such stunning locations in Chichester Harbour.”

Since July 2017, Andrew Millar has successfully led the team at MDL’s Brixham Marina after 14 years with P&O Cruises and Cunard, spending time at sea all over the world. Andrew has now been promoted to Marina Manager at MDL’s flagship Ocean Village Marina in Southampton, with the additional responsibility of managing the boatyard at Saxon Wharf.

I’m very much looking forward to the move to Ocean Village and Saxon wharf,” says Andrew, who enjoys volunteering for Radio Hospitals where he has, for the last three years, broadcasted his award-winning breakfast show every weekend.

Martyn Sherratt joined MDL in 2010 as a dockmaster. Progressing his career with MDL he has been promoted to Manager at the popular Brixham Marina. Prior to working with MDL, Martyn worked in the foodservice wholesale sector, equipping him with excellent customer service skills.

Having enjoyed his time to date with MDL, building good relationships with customers and colleagues alike, Martyn is looking forward to his new role.

I can’t wait to get stuck in. Brixham is such a super location, in a very picturesque part of the country. I’m looking forward to inspiring the team to ensure that we’re giving the best customer experience possible, as well as supporting our onsite tenants.

Starting his tenure with MDL at Queen Anne’s Battery nearly six years ago, Alex Warner underwent a successful six-month secondment to Dartside Quay in 2018. Following a successful two years as Boatyard Manager, Alex has recently moved up to the role of Manager at Dartside Quay.

“I’m looking forward to leading the already strong team and building on recent successes,” says Alex. “I’ll initially be focusing on improvement to the customer experience and development in services provided. With the idyllic backdrop over the River Dart, Dartside Quay has the potential to become a hub for leisure activity and I’m keen to explore the different elements that could complement its current heavy lifting, shore-based business.”

Emma Crompton is new to MDL but comes with an impressive resume to underpin her tenure as manager at Chatham Maritime. A Thames Waterman (and Freeman of the River Thames), she crews for RNLI Gravesend Lifeboat Station and has had a striking career including Harbour Manager at Queenborough Harbour Trust and associate director for a marine consultancy company.

“I’m very excited to be taking on the role as Marina Manager at Chatham Maritime Marina,” Emma says. “I look forward to meeting all of the berth holders and ensuring that the marina continues to develop in a positive way. It has a fantastic reputation in the boating community, which I obviously want to maintain.”

The appointment of six marina managers marks an exciting point for MDL as it continues to strive to provide the best locations, facilities and services for its berth holders, tenants and visitors.