Robert Courts appointed as new Maritime Minister

The RYA would like to welcome Robert Courts, Conservative Member of Parliament for Witney, to the post of Parliamentary under Secretary of State for the Department of Transport.

Robert Courts' appointment in the Department for Transport comes after the resignation of Simon Clarke MP, the Minister of State for Regional Growth and Local Government. Simon Clarke was replaced in his role by Kelly Tolhurst, Conservative MP for Rochester and Strood, who left her role as Maritime Minister. 

Courts was previously the Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Secretary of the State for the Environment, Theresa Villiers.

Robert Courts tweeted: “It's a huge privilege to have been asked to serve in the Department for Transport, with responsibility for aviation and maritime. A really exciting portfolio which includes driving forward the work of the ground-breaking ‘Jet Zero’ Council. Looking forward to getting started.” 

Courts is a barrister by trade and practiced for 12 years in Oxford, focusing primarily on personal injury and clinical negligence, with a trading standards prosecution specialism. As a recreational diver, Courts has a keen interest in maritime environment and is a member of the Maritime Conservation Society. 

The RYA look forward to working with Robert Courts and discussing both the opportunities and issues currently affecting recreational boating.