Internal promotions strengthen MDL Marinas’ marina management teams

MDL Marinas has announced six new managers across its UK marinas, five of which have been promoted internally.

Debbie Burns has transferred to manage Hamble Point Marina (HPM), Claire Kennedy has been promoted to manage Northney and Sparkes marinas, and Andrew Millar is to head up Ocean Village and Saxon Wharf.

Further internal promotions see Martyn Sherratt and Alex Warner take over the helm at Brixham Marina and Dartside Quay respectively, while Emma Crompton joins the company to manage Chatham Maritime Marina.

Debbie Burns, now looking after Hamble Point, has worked for MDL for the past 26 years and has previously managed Mercury Yacht Harbour, Port Hamble, Ocean Village, and latterly Northney and Sparkes. Debbie is a Certified Marina Manager and is actively involved with British Marine South.

“I’m looking forward to managing Hamble Point, and working with customers and tenants,” she says. “It’s a busy atmosphere and a fresh challenge to take on, as MDL continues to develop its facilities and make improvements across the site.”

After two years as assistant manager, Claire Kennedy has been promoted to marina manager at Northney and Sparkes. Claire has over 12 years’ experience in the industry and is delighted to take on the promotion, managing the two Hayling Island sites.

“I am very excited to be leading the team and driving the future success of the marina,” she says. “Running two sites simultaneously is a lovely challenge to have, especially as they’re both in such stunning locations in Chichester Harbour.”

Successfully leading the team at MDL’s Brixham Marina since 2017, Andrew Millar has been promoted to marina manager at MDL’s flagship Ocean Village Marina in Southampton, with the additional responsibility of managing the boatyard at Saxon Wharf.

“I’m very much looking forward to the move to Ocean Village and Saxon wharf,” says Millar, who enjoys volunteering for hospital radio where he has, for the last three years, broadcasted his award-winning breakfast show every weekend.

Martyn Sherratt joined MDL in 2010 as a dockmaster. Progressing his career with MDL, he has been promoted to manager at the popular Brixham Marina. Having enjoyed his time to date with MDL, building good relationships with customers and colleagues alike, Martyn is looking forward to his new role.

“I can’t wait to get stuck in,” he says. “Brixham is such a super location, in a very picturesque part of the country. I’m looking forward to inspiring the team to ensure that we’re giving the best customer experience possible, as well as supporting our onsite tenants.”

Starting his time with MDL at Queen Anne’s Battery nearly six years ago, Alex Warner underwent a successful six-month secondment to Dartside Quay in 2018. Following a successful two years as boat yard manager, Alex has recently moved up to the role of manager at Dartside Quay.

“I’m looking forward to leading the already strong team and building on recent successes,” says Warner. “I’ll initially be focusing on improvement to the customer experience and development in services provided. With the idyllic backdrop over the River Dart, Dartside Quay has the potential to become a hub for leisure activity and I’m keen to explore the different elements that could complement its current heavy lifting, shore-based business.”

Emma Crompton is new to MDL but comes with an impressive resume to underpin her tenure as manager at Chatham Maritime. A Thames Waterman (and Freeman of the River Thames), she crews for RNLI Gravesend Lifeboat Station and has had a striking career including harbour manager at Queenborough Harbour Trust and associate director for a marine consultancy company.

“I’m very excited to be taking on the role as marina manager at Chatham Maritime Marina,” Crompton says. “I look forward to meeting all of the berth holders and ensuring that the marina continues to develop in a positive way. It has a fantastic reputation in the boating community, which I obviously want to maintain.”

The company says the appointment of six marina managers marks an exciting point for MDL as it continues to strive to provide the best locations, facilities and services for its berth holders, tenants and visitors.