ASTO appoints new general manager

The Association of Sail Training Organisations (ASTO) has appointed Kerry McMillan as its new general manager (effective 17 April 2023).

Following a competitive application process, ASTO trustees chose McMillan to take over from previous manager, Lucie Grodie.

McMillan has a background in sail training, having skippered for Ocean Youth Trust Scotland for five years and then established the Scottish base of the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust in Largs. Before this, McMillan worked in HR for Unilever for several years.

“I’m delighted to be joining ASTO as the new general manager,” says McMillan.

“ASTO supported my own training and development as a sail trainer and I am excited to have the opportunity to have a leading role in building the profile of the UK sail training sector and supporting our member organisations in developing best practice to deliver impactful and memorable experiences.”

Mark Todd, chair of ASTO says: “I look forward to welcoming Kerry McMillan into ASTO, to help drive UK Sail Training forward, delivering even more successful outcomes for the young people who sail with us, developing the sector and making more people aware of the positive life-changing benefits a voyage at sea can bring.”

ASTO is the umbrella body for more than 30 UK sail training organisations that take young people and disabled people to sea to learn life skills such as communication, teamwork and resilience. ASTO members take around 10,000 young people to sea each year and the organisation supports its membership through bursaries, events, conferences and through promoting the benefits of Sail Training to youth groups and schools.

Todd adds: “I would also like to give a huge thanks to our outgoing general manager, Lucy Grodie, for her hard work and commitment. Her passion and love of our sector always shone through and has helped countless ASTO members and sail trainers deliver even better voyages to improve people’s physical and mental wellbeing.“