The International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Matthew Beckwith, Chair of British Marine, to its Board.
Table of Contents
Commercial & Operational Expertise
A highly experienced Chair, Chief Executive, and Non-Executive Director, Matthew Beckwith brings substantial commercial and operational expertise spanning the marine sector, passenger transport, leisure, and technology-enabled businesses. His appointment further strengthens ICOMIA’s global leadership and reinforces its commitment to industry collaboration and sustainable growth.
Matthew currently serves as Chair of British Marine, where he focuses on governance, supporting the executive team, and guiding the organisation through an increasingly complex and evolving operating environment. He also holds the role of Chief Executive Officer of Gillingham Marina, a five-Gold-Anchor facility with 500 berths, where he is responsible for overall business performance, regulatory compliance, and delivering high-quality customer experiences within a regulated marine environment.
In addition, Matthew is a Non-Executive Director and co-owner of Expian, a technology business supporting major passenger transport and attraction operators, where he contributes to strategy, governance, and commercial decision-making. His board-level experience extends across industry bodies, including his previous tenure as Chair of the National Passenger Boat Association, where he led engagement with regulators and government on safety and operational standards.
Frank Hugelmeyer, Board President of ICOMIA, Comments
Welcoming the appointment, Frank Hugelmeyer, Board President of ICOMIA, said:
“We are delighted to welcome Matthew Beckwith to the ICOMIA Board. Matthew brings a unique combination of commercial insight, operational expertise, and governance experience across the marine and passenger transport sectors. His pragmatic, business-led perspective and proven leadership will be invaluable as we continue to advance ICOMIA’s global priorities, including sustainable growth, innovation, and effective industry representation.”
Matthew Beckwith Comments
Commenting on his appointment, Matthew Beckwith said:
“It is an honour to join the ICOMIA Board and contribute to the important work being done to support the global marine industry. I look forward to working with colleagues from around the world to promote a thriving, sustainable sector, strengthen collaboration between national associations, and help navigate the opportunities and challenges facing our industry.”
Earlier in his career, Matthew spent nearly two decades with City Cruises Plc, where he held senior executive roles including Operations Director and HR Director. During this time, he played a key role in business acquisitions, integration, and strategic growth, acting on behalf of shareholders within a family-owned organisation. His experience encompasses large-scale operations, commercial development, people leadership, and business transformation.
A Strong Partnership
Matthew is widely recognised for his commercially astute, operationally grounded approach and his ability to support organisations through growth and change. His appointment further reflects the strong partnership between ICOMIA and British Marine, and the continued importance of the UK marine industry within the global boating community.
Find out more about Matthew Beckwith and British Marine here
Click here for more ICOMIA News & Updates
