Dedicated sailors celebrated in the King's Birthday Honours List

Mark Todd, Association of Sail Training Organisations (ASTO)

Mark Todd, Chair of Trustees for the Association of Sail Training Organisations (ASTO) and Chief Executive of OYT South, was awarded an MBE for services to sailing and to young people.
Mark has been a member of ASTO’s Board of Trustees since 2019 and Chair since 2021. In addition, he’s Chief Executive of Ocean Youth Trust South, an RYA Yachtmaster Instructor, a Yachtmaster Examiner, and sits on the Yachtmaster Qualifications Panel. He was also recently invited to become a Younger Brother of Trinity House.

“Every day in sail training you meet wonderful young people – many of whom face their own challenges in life. I admire how they can embrace opportunity and valiantly try to find their way in an increasingly complex world. Many meet those challenges in a hugely impressive fashion; others just need a stepping stone to help them get their lives on track, and sail training can often give them that breakthrough moment.

“In my time with OYT South and lately as Chair of ASTO, I have sailed and worked with some remarkably interesting, inspiring, and extremely dedicated staff and volunteers. Sail training is all about teamwork, and although the MBE is a personal award, nothing I do would be possible without the fantastic individuals right across the industry whose work ensures that thousands of young people get the benefit of a life-changing experience at sea.”

Colin Magee, Leicestershire and Rutland Youth Sailing Association

Colin Magee, co-founder of the Leicestershire & Rutland Youth Sailing Association (LRYSA), a charity running courses for schools and youth groups and entering teams into racing regattas, was recognised for his outstanding services to young people and individuals with disabilities.
Colin has dedicated over 50 years to making sailing accessible and inclusive, introducing thousands of local young people to the sport, including many from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with special educational needs or disabilities. His volunteer work, including adapting training for visually impaired and autistic sailors, has left a lasting legacy on the region’s sporting community.

Colin said:“I’ve always sailed. I spent time in the Navy. I’ve never left water – I wouldn’t leave it alone.”
He added: “I’ve always done this as a volunteer. But I’m flabbergasted.”

Richard Titchener, Sea-Change Sailing Trust and Blue Mermaid

Richard Titchener, CEO of the Sea-Change Sailing Trust and skipper of the Thames sailing barge Blue Mermaid was awarded an MBE for his services to disadvantaged young people and the Essex community.

Richard has spent over three decades offering sail-training voyages that build confidence, teamwork, and life skills for young people. Under his leadership, Sea-Change has combined social impact with maritime heritage, including the launch of Blue Mermaid, a replica cargo barge promoting traditional seamanship and sustainable transport. His award celebrates a career dedicated to empowering others through the power of the sea.
Richard said:

“News the MBE was public came towards the end of a fantastic week with young people from Jaywick and Clacton. It is a great honour to be recognised in this way after over thirty years in sail training, the last eighteen with Sea-Change and since 2019 in the engineless Blue Mermaid. We work with around 200 people each year, living and working together in the Thames Estuary, in harmony with nature and using traditional skills to empower our clients.”

If you’d like more information on how to give something back, read our guide on how to get involved in volunteering.