Holly Manvell new head of of commercial operations at Falmouth Harbour

Holly Manvell has been appointed as Falmouth Harbour’s first head of commercial operations.

Manvell, with a background in legal and business from small start-ups to listed companies, is an experienced yachtswoman who founded the global not-for-profit organisations Clean Sailors and Cleaner Marinas in the last two years.

Her strategic focus will be on longer term growth for Falmouth Harbour – working closely with CEO Miles Carden to generate new, profitable, innovative business streams and projects. She will also be improving customer services and the range of harbour services.

“It is amazing to welcome Holly to my incredible team at Falmouth Harbour,” says Miles. “This is a very exciting time and we need to grow the harbour and improve infrastructure for the benefit of all harbour users, visitors, the environment and future generations.

“Holly will be tasked with driving us forward into a new future. We are beyond fortunate in finding such wholly relevant skills and experience in one person: Holly comes from a commercial background and has considerable sailing and maritime experience – all of which will be massively important for this role and the challenges we face.”

Manvell is a seasoned blue water sailor and an appointed Advocate for the Ocean Conservation Trust and Henri-Lloyd pioneer. In 2020 she combined her passion for oceanography and geography with her love for sailing to set up the global not-for-profit Clean Sailors – promoting cleaner sailing and marine activities and engaging fellow sailors and water-lovers in safeguarding the marine environment. In 2021 she founded Cleaner Marina with industry partners including MDL Marinas, boatfolk, savvy navvy and Ecoworks Marine to support and champion marinas, ports and harbours in more sustainable practices.

Then in January 2022 she launched the Clean Sailors Youth Racing Team with three international under-25 champion sailors, with an aim to spread awareness of ocean conservation on the global dinghy and foiling stage. Clean Sailors counts as ambassadors three-time world champion and four-time Paralympian Hannah Stodel PLY, solo-sailor Paddy Hutchings as well as CJ Perez, the youngest ever sailor to join the SailGP league and helm the F50.

“Being able to support, promote and grow the wonderful potential we have here in Falmouth Harbour is truly exciting,” Manvell says. “I am very much looking forward to bringing my experience to bear as a member of this team and to continuing Falmouth Harbour’s legacy locally, nationally and globally – ensuring we do so in a way that adds value to our town and our home, as well as to the millions that visit us each year.”

Falmouth Harbour is a Trust Port with a statutory duty to sustainably and safely manage the harbour to the benefit of the local economy and the environment as well as local stakeholder communities and customers.