Our Board
RYA Scotland relies on a voluntary board and volunteers working on specific areas of boating. From performance sailing, coaching, training, development, Sailability, cruising, environment and marine planning, the activities are diverse.
Meet our volunteer board
We are keen to have representation from across Scotland to provide insights and support from the boating community. The roles are voluntary and are therefore not remunerated, however RYA Scotland will meet your expenses for attending meetings and support your development in your chosen role.
The best way to find out more about any opportunity is to email admin@ryascotland.org.uk
Brian Wilson - Chair
Introduced to sailing through the Scout Association; went on gain level 2 sailing, soon getting his first boat, a mirror dinghy. Progressed his skills to become a Senior Instructor Dinghy and Advanced Powerboat Instructor, taking these skills to become Principal Instructor of Longcraig Scout Centre. He was introduced to yachts with friends, including some fun/successful racing in Turkey. Owned Mirror Dinghy, Magno, Rib-X 575, Dart16 & now Hanse 371, which he sails with his wife. Started with RYAS on Participation and Development Group, becoming its Chair, which led on to being a member of RYAS Council. Went on to join the Management Committee as Council representative before joining the new board. (Appointed on 29th October 2020)
Laura Webb – Honorary Secretary
Laura lives in Dunkeld and brings extensive experience in transformational change, operations and delivery management across multiple sectors, most recently serving as Chief Delivery Officer at Changeworks. Laura’s sailing experience spans West Coast cruising, on and offshore racing, and time in dinghies. In 2023, she completed Leg 3 of the Clipper Round the World Race through the Roaring Forties. She joins the RYA Scotland Board to contribute her skills to an organisation that is communityfocused, energetic and impactful.
Judy Warburton – Honorary Treasurer
Based in Doune, Judy Warburton steps into the role of Honorary Treasurer, bringing a strong blend of financial expertise and lifelong enthusiasm for watersports. A longstanding member of Loch Venachar Sailing Club, she has enjoyed everything from windsurfing and narrowboating to yachting. Professionally, Judy has built a successful career in finance, as well as through research exploring decisionmaking processes in children’s legal hearings, strengthening her analytical and governance expertise. She brings both professional insight and a personal passion for boating to her new role on the RYA Scotland Board.
Jill Reid – Under 25 (Youth) Director
Jill brings a strong youth perspective to RYA Scotland as Under25 Director. A graduate of the University of Aberdeen, she was a key figure in the Scottish student sailing scene, helping drive activity, competition and community across university clubs. Alongside her board role, Jill is part of RYA Scotland’s coaching pool. Professionally, Jill has continued her commitment to student sport through roles at the University of Edinburgh Sports Union and now at Coventry University Students’ Union, where she helps develop and support student participation. Passionate about making sailing accessible, vibrant and youthled, Jill is excited to champion the voices of young people across RYA Scotland.
Jordan McNeilage – Youth Development Director
Jordan is a part time Chief Instructor at Loch Insh Water Sports and Scout Leader with the 17th Perthshire (Aberfeldy). He is passionate about the life changing effect of sailing on young people taking part and keen to promote the voice of young people in RYA Scotland’s decision making processes. Jordan started out as an assistant instructor at a small centre on the shores of Loch Tay. He moved quickly through the RYA instructor scheme and became a senior instructor at Loch Insh. (Appointed on 9th March 2020)
Hamish MacKay - Performance Director
Hamish returns to RYAS after a break, following over a 20 year spell volunteering cumulating as Chair between 2008-2011. Formerly represented RYAS on the Sport Scotland Audit Committee, Sport Scotland Trust Company and the Scottish Sailing Institute so brings a strong understanding of our history back to the board. Having raced competitively his whole life this continues by remaining active competing successfully across many One Design classes including Etchells, Dragon and Flying 15 whilst also enjoying a slower pace of cruising the Scottish west coast during the summer. Hamish works in IT sales and is a proud diversity ambassador within his organisation. A member of Mudhook, Royal Highland and Solway Yacht Club. (Appointed on 15th May 2023)
Peter Robinson - Cruising & General Purpose Director
Peter has been a keen sailor since discovering the sport as a young child having progressed through a variety of dinghies, sailing at locations across Scotland and the UK. He and his wife enjoyed taking a sabbatical to undertake a circumnavigation and exploring some of the best cruising the world can offer having left from Troon Harbour, they returned 2 years later. He currently enjoys racing within the vibrant Hunter 707 fleet as a member of Port Edgar Yacht Club and also at events elsewhere. Professionally, Peter is a Chartered Civil Engineer and a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers. He has a role working for global Consultant AECOM, across the UK & Ireland overseeing work on Waterways and Coasts and is passionate about sustainability, climate mitigation and adaption. (Appointed on 4th March 2024)
Neil McDonald Participation & Development)
Neil is a lifelong sailor who first learned to sail with the Clyde Cruising Club dinghy section. That ignited a passion that has led to involvement in cruising and racing a wide range of keel boats, multihulls and dinghies. He currently cruises on the West Coast of Scotland and occasionally participates in racing. His career in the drinks industry took him to many countries of the world, but he always found time to seek out a sailing club and get onto the water. As a result, in addition to being a member of the Royal Highland Yacht Club and the Clyde Corinthian Yacht Club, he is a life member of the Lagos Yacht Club, Nigeria and the Royal Varuna Yacht Club Thailand. (Appointed on 15th May 2023)
Glenn Porter – Director for Communications and Partnerships
Glenn Porter joins RYA Scotland as Director for Communications and Partnerships, bringing extensive experience from both the marine and education sectors. He runs Ocean Sailing Scotland, where he is Principal Skipper. He also leads Lewis Learning, an established education and consultancy business. Glenn’s combined background in sailing, communication and relationship building positions him to strengthen RYA Scotland’s output and build meaningful partnerships across the boating community.
Chris Floyd - Coaching Director
Chris joins the Board as Coaching Director, bringing over four decades of experience on the waters of Mid Argyll. His career spans outdoor education, commercial boat operations and maritime safety, and he is currently involved in supporting commercial operators with training in boat handling and equipment use. With further experience as a dinghy coach and advanced powerboat trainer, Chris has played a key role in developing skills and qualifications across Scotland’s boating community. Chris is passionate about listening to volunteers and communities across Scotland, and sees his Board role as an opportunity to help shape the future of coaching and development within RYA Scotland.
Ben Kemp - Governance and EDI Director
Ben was introduced to sailing as a sea scout, dinghy racing while at school and then at University. He now sails a 'vintage' Nicholson 32 with his family, mostly off the west coast of Scotland, as well as further afield. He is a member at East Lothian YC. Professionally, Ben is an experienced lawyer and director, having worked for more than ten years as General Counsel and Executive Director at an international professional body. Before that he worked for a similar period in private practice, including as a Partner at London law firm, Kingsley Napley LLP. (Appointed on 15th May 2023)
Hannah Ladd-Jones – Independent Director
Hannah is a Research and Capacity Building Manager for MASTA (Marine Alliance for Science and Technologies for Scotland), and was previously a Project Manager for the UK marine communication and events group Ocean and Coastal Futures. Hannah also holds a MSc in Conservation and Biodiversity from the University of Exeter. As independent director, Hannah is a non-sailor, but a keen outdoor sportsperson who understands the values of sports clubs and the sense of community and support they can provide – brining a valuable perspective to the board. (Appointed on 4th March 2024).
Become a volunteer
RYA Scotland has a range of specialist volunteers who assist different aspects of boating activities in Scotland. Find out how you can get involved
