RYA names two new Regional Chairs for Midlands and London & South East

We’re delighted to announce that the RYA Board has confirmed the appointment of Ross Ryan as the new Regional Chair of the Midlands and Charles Hessey as the new Regional Chair for London and South East. 

Ross Ryan – new Regional Chair of the Midlands region

Ross is known for his lifelong involvement in sailing and his extensive contributions to the RYA, actively engaging with and supporting RYA activity both locally and nationally.

Ross is a level 3 RYA Race Coach, national race official and a long-standing member of Notts County Sailing Club, where he has served as Commodore, Treasurer, and an Executive member for 14 years.  He has also played a key role in junior development, running the Saturday Club and Youth Racing Squad. Notts County Sailing Club was the first club in the country to achieve British Sailing Pathway Club status, a testament to Ross’s commitment to the sport.

Alongside his sailing expertise, Ross’s professional background includes senior roles in industry for over 14 years, focusing on business development and transformation. This combination of knowledge and leadership will be a real asset to the region as we continue to progress and grow our sport. 

Charles Hessey – new Regional Chair of London and South East region

Charles brings a broad boating background, including cruising, motorboating, and early dinghy sailing, complemented by active involvement with the Medway & Swale Boating Association (MSBA), where he currently serves as Treasurer.

Over the past three years, Charles has played a key role in the London & South East Regional Volunteer Team, stepping into the Deputy Chair role to support and shadow much of the work overseen by the existing Chair.

An experienced sailor, Charles regularly sails the East Coast from a River Medway base, as well as taking part in classic yacht events at Cowes, Dartmouth, Paimpol, Brest, and La Rochelle. He holds a range of boating qualifications, including Day Skipper Practical, Yachtmaster Theory, Yachtmaster Coastal, as well as First Aid and VHF.

Professionally, Charles is a highly experienced leader with strong HR expertise, which will be invaluable in supporting effective volunteer recruitment across the region. With a degree and postgraduate diploma in managerial and administrative studies, Charles is a keen student of organisational performance and demonstrates a supportive, inclusive leadership style, perfectly suited to working with a diverse regional committee.

Passionate about boating and meaningful local engagement, Charles is committed to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) which will be instrumental in creating inclusive opportunities and shaping the region’s future, reflecting the aims of the RYA’s Together on Water strategy.

A huge thank you is extended to our outgoing Chairs, Judy Lambourne (Midlands) and Roger Belton (London & South East), for their dedication and hard work in supporting and developing sailing in their regions in these key volunteer roles. Their contributions have made a lasting impact, and we are grateful for everything they’ve achieved.